New Delhi

Indian origin actor Dev Patel's directorial debut titled Monkey Man has generated a lot of buzz ever since the film's first trailer came out. While the film's India release date is unknown, the India-set revenge thriller had a flying start at the box office. The film, released by Universal Pictures, opened in 3,029 North American theatres garnering an estimated $10.1 million on its April 5 release. 

Patel's film is modestly budgeted. He directs and stars in a bloody, politically charged action extravaganza. Monkey Man reportedly was made on a budget of $10 million, and the cost was recovered in the first three days of its release. 

The film was initially supposed to get a Netflix studio release but the OTT platform left mid-way and eventually, it was picked up by Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions. 

About Monkey Man

Monkey Man is inspired by the legend of Hanuman — a Hindu deity revered for his strength, loyalty and courage. Patel says that he saw a lot of parallels between Hindu mythology and the iconography of the superheroes that we know today, like Superman.

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The film centres on a character named Kid — played by Patel — who makes a living working in an underground fight club and who later seeks to avenge his mother’s horrific death by infiltrating the elite class of a Mumbai-like city.

Apart from Dev, it stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher and Vipin Sharma in key roles. 

Other big players at the box office

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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire easily swatted away a pair of challengers to hold on to the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row.

The weekend’s other new wide release, The First Omen, from Disney's 20th Century Studios, struggled to make a big impact with moviegoers. It earned an estimated $8.4 million in ticket sales in 3,375 theatres while collecting an additional $9.1 million overseas. The R-rated horror film, which cost about $30 million, is a prequel to the 1976 Richard Donner-directed original starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick.

(With inputs from agencies)