Desi cinephiles have been waiting to watch Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, in theatres. It was set to hit Indian theatres on April 19th, 2024, but speculation has been rife that the release is being delayed due to the ongoing elections. Initially, Netflix acquired the rights to Monkey Man but subsequently sold them to Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, anticipating issues with streaming it in India, given our volatile political climate.
Many have turned to watching the leaked version of Monkey Man on various pirated websites. However, another Dev Patel action thriller is making waves on Netflix. Before diving into Monkey Man, people are tuning into Hotel Mumbai, the 2018 film that is currently at the ninth spot on Netflix’s top ten list of films globally.
Directed by Anthony Maras, Hotel Mumbai is a gripping thriller based on the tragic events of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The film features Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Anupam Kher, and Jason Isaacs. It vividly portrays the shocking and devastating siege of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai by a group of terrorists.
The story revolves around the hotel staff’s courageous efforts to protect guests and themselves amid the chaos that ensued around them. Patel delivered a laudable performance (as always) as Arjun, a dedicated hotel employee who risks his life to save as many people as possible.
Hotel Mumbai serves as a tribute to the victims and heroes of the Mumbai attacks. This film was inspired by the 2009 documentary Surviving Mumbai about the Mumbai terror attacks that occurred on November 26th, 2008, orchestrated by the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The coordinated assaults targeted multiple locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where hostages were held captive. The police officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, and Vijay Salaskar lost their lives in the line of duty while fighting the assailants. Real heroes like Tukaram Omble played pivotal roles in capturing the assailants; Omble sacrificed his life while apprehending Ajmal Kasab, the only attacker captured alive.
The Mumbai terror attacks claimed the lives of over 160 people and left hundreds injured. Kasab was later convicted and executed, while other perpetrators met similar fates or faced lengthy prison sentences.
Now is the ideal time to watch Hotel Mumbai, especially if you want more Dev Patel cinematic goodness in your life. In a recent interview with Lallantop Cinema, noted actor Makarand Deshpande, who plays a pivotal role in Monkey Man, addressed the concerns surrounding the film’s release in India. He reassured fans that Monkey Man will indeed see the light of day in Indian theatres. Makarand mentioned that the film’s producers are actively engaged in discussions with the relevant authorities regarding its release. He also hinted that the delay in release is related to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, as is being widely speculated.
You can watch Hotel Mumbai on Netflix and catch the trailer here:
