The release of British actor Dev Patel’s highly anticipated directorial debut, Monkey Man, has reportedly been postponed in India amid concerns that it could fall foul of the country’s censors. The revenge action drama premiered at South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) on 11 March and was released theatrically worldwide on 5 April. However, its release in India, originally scheduled for 19 April, has been delayed. Monkey Man has received positive reviews and had a successful opening weekend, grossing $12m, but it has yet to receive certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India.
The film is set in India and follows Patel’s unnamed character on a revenge spree against the corrupt officials of an Indian right-wing political party. It has been described as an action film with shades of John Wick and Enter the Dragon. Despite its positive reception, Indians may have to wait longer to watch the film. Indian ticketing site BookMyShow no longer shows Monkey Man’s release date, and Universal Studios India, the film’s distribution partner, has only stated that it will be in theaters soon, without providing a definite date.
According to Indian media reports, the delay is likely due to the film’s lack of certification from the CBFC, a government body that grants approval for release. The film’s excessive violence and potential to offend a section of the audience are cited as reasons for the delay.
Monkey Man, which was originally intended for release on Netflix, was acquired and distributed by Universal Pictures after Netflix dropped it in 2023. The portrayal of a right-wing Hindu nationalist character in the film reportedly spooked Netflix. Director Jordan Peele, who described the film as a classic, convinced Universal Pictures to give it a theatrical run.
This delay in Monkey Man’s release in India highlights the issue of self-censorship in the film industry. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have faced pressure to appease the Indian government by dropping certain projects or removing content that could offend Hindu right-wing groups. Monkey Man’s critique of a popular dictator who has weaponized Hinduism has been noted by critics, along with the self-censorship embedded within the film’s portrayal.
Patel’s character in Monkey Man draws strength from the Hindu ape-god Hanuman and seeks justice for the marginalized and underprivileged. The film also incorporates real news footage from protests against India’s Modi-led government while removing the context from these demonstrations.
Despite the delay in its release, Monkey Man continues to generate anticipation among audiences in India who are eager to watch Dev Patel’s directorial debut.
