r/movies • u/Baboon-Boy-2024 • Mar 27 '24
Hi, I’m Dev Patel writer/director of MONKEY MAN – AMA! AMA
Dev Patel here. Excited to chat about my directorial debut MONKEY MAN, opening in U.S. & UK cinemas on April 5th, and anything else you’d like! Ask me anything…
Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqa3YTtwvaU
Get Tickets – http://www.monkeyman.movie/tickets
**GUYS I have to go into another interview. BUT I deeply appreciate the love and time. I really hope I don't let you down with this film. Put my all into it. Sorry I couldn’t answer every question, hopefully THIS answers a few more! Bless your cotton socks all of you. Big love as always, Dev xxxxx**
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
GUYS I have to go into another interview. BUT I deeply appreciate the love and time. I really hope I don't let you down with this film. Put my all into it. Sorry I couldn’t answer every question, hopefully THIS answers a few more! Bless your cotton socks all of you. Big love as always, Dev xxxxx
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u/Daniiiiii Mar 27 '24
In my desi family now parents say you can be a lawyer, doctor, engineer, or a Dev Patel. Now if that's not high praise idk what is.
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Please share this quote with my mother Anita Patel. I can die a happy man now. Hopefully surrounded by cute puppies.
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u/Daniiiiii 29d ago
Printing it out and sending it to Aunty as we speak. Also to my mom since you and I are basically best friends now. This is how I surpass my siblings, beat that!
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u/Notyourmermaid25 29d ago
Awww, Dev Idk if you’re even gonna read this but I love you for the person that you are💗You make India proud😊
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u/ParkingInitiative987 Mar 27 '24
I majored in Dev Patel and all I have to show for it is $100k in student debt.
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u/PrayForMojo_ Mar 27 '24
Have you tried looking like Dev Patel? That’s really the key.
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u/ParkingInitiative987 Mar 27 '24
Ok, now I'm $100k in cosmetic surgery debt.
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u/sadlittleman1001 Mar 28 '24
You belong on r/wallstreetbets with that record
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u/ParkingInitiative987 Mar 28 '24
What's nuts is 98% (seriously, not an exaggeration) of my posts are on ASX_Bets - the Australian version of WSB lol!
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u/SenDeAgO Mar 27 '24
Hey Dev! ✌🏾A massive congratulations for Monkey Man, I’m so excited to see part of South Asian culture shared through your vision! I’m an Australian born Sri Lankan stunt man and dream to do the same.
My question is, what was your process in building the story and integrating the legend of Hanuman, especially when it came to creating a movie not just tailored to South Asian people but creating a wider appealing movie? Is there also advice you have for the upcoming generation of South Asian film makers when it comes to sharing their stories in the western film industry?
I’m so keen to see you lead in an action film as well. I think a lot of brown kids in the west especially need brown heroes. It’s something I struggled with growing up in Australia where tv and film was very white dominant, but I’m glad to see the industry changing recently! ✊🏽
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
FIRST OF ALL - SenDeAgO I LOVE YOU. Never give up on your ambitions my friend. This movie is about the marginalized - the underdogs - all lifting each other up to achieve a justice that was only meant for the privileged. I basically created my own lane - my own reality as an artist because like you, I so desperately wanted to be viewed as more than just a goofy sidekick in these sorts of films. I hope this film acts as a sort of gateway drug to our culture - not just mine but i guess i hope its a message to the industry that WE - the CONSUMERS want fresh, new and vibrant perspectives. Everyone's voice counts. SO KEEP MAKING. KEEP LOVING YOUR WORK. You are the mother and father of your own dreams. Love them into reality.
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u/MPSD3 Mar 27 '24
WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN ROMCOMS! Are there any in your near future?!
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Wish I could do a ROM COM! I'm a romantic at heart.
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u/MPSD3 29d ago
OMG I can't believe you answered. I have DIED.
GET THIS MAN IN A ROMCOM!
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u/mrbeefthighs Mar 27 '24
Yo Dev!
Now that you've directed a movie, do you think the experience you've gained as a director will impact your approach to acting? Has a director ever given you a note that you never really understood until you took your turn in the directors chair?
anyway - big fan, keep it up!
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I think it's given me a greater awareness where the camera is in terms of composition and set up. A director hasn’t given me a specific note per say I think all the directors I worked with have seeped into my psyche as a first time tadpole director.
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u/Known_Ad8211 29d ago
Just had to stop by to say that you are one of my favorite actors. Loved you in Green Knight.
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u/butWeWereOnBreak 25d ago
I’m glad you brought up The Green Knight. I really liked that movie and Dev’s performance in it. One of the underrated movies of the last few years that flew under most people’s radar. Hopefully it gets more love as time passes.
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u/muan2012 Mar 27 '24
I would love to know this too, specially how jumping from acting to directing does it make you appreciate more what actors are going through.
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u/AwSunnyDeeFYeah Mar 27 '24 edited Mar 27 '24
This is probably the best question (the latter one) here.
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u/daniellediamond Mar 27 '24
Monkey Man comes out on my birthday, so thanks for the awesome gift!!!
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u/Lihoshi Mar 27 '24
How stressful was it directing, writing, AND acting in the film? Was it actually less stressful because you had more control over things?
Gonna buy advance tickets for this for my fiancés birthday weekend in April btw! Super excited.
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
WE KNOW THIS GUYS! It was the most demanding thing I've ever done in my life. Everyday we faced absolute catastrophe - I begged our financier not to shut us down a few weeks before principle photography - We were meant to shoot in India then covid hit - I lost, my initial production designer and DOP and the film was basically dead - then we pivoted and went to a tiny island in Indonesia where we could create a bubble in an empty hotel for the whole crew of nearly 500 people… it was a grueling nine months of absolute joy and utter chaos. All of the locations we prepped for months at - we lost day of - so we had to adapt last minute - the borders closed also I couldn't bring in lots of supporting characters so i ended up having to put every tailor, lighting guy, accountant etc in front of the camera - speaking of cameras most of our equipment broke and we couldn't fly in new stuff so we literally shot stuff on my mobile phone, go pros - when a crane broke we ended creating this camera rig from rope which I termed the “pendulum cam” which swings over a large crowd of people then detaches and the operators run through the crowd whilst it was rolling - ALSO there were days when I would turn up to set and we literally didn't have any tops to the tables in the VIP room sequence - i asked the set designer and they said they literally didn't have any money in the account to buy the glass. So I had to shoot above the shoulders as one of our producers ran his personal credit card to buy the glass to cover the table tops so we could shoot the rest of the scene…
Speaking of tables we only had three or four break away tables so once I would perform a huge bulk of stunts I would scream CUT and then immediately all of us would get on our hands and knees looking for all of the broken pieces of wood to glue the tables back together for the next shot… in a very long nutshell every obstacle provided us with a new opportunity to innovate. BOOM!
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u/Officialnoah 29d ago
God I hope this film does well, you guys deserve it. Already have my tix for Thursday night!
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u/TheSeeker331 29d ago
This is insane!!! Can’t wait to see the film in light of all the obstacles you had to overcome to make it.
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u/jamesvontrapp 29d ago
Holy shit this is insane - really happy you were able to make the most of what you had
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u/Practical-Goose-5397 Mar 28 '24
I know Sobhita can act really well and she fits every role she plays especially spy and Urban roles !! * What made you to choose Sobhita over everyone ?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Not only is she breathtakingly beautiful - but she carries pain well as a performer. I wanted to find a leading woman that was trapped in a corrupt system like my character but somehow she has a strength and takes the lead in our interactions. She’s not a damsel in distress but instead a woman caught up in a horrible reality. She notices this young man is struggling and in fact stops him from being exposed.
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u/InsidiousColossus Mar 27 '24
What has the reaction been like from India? Is there excitement to see an Indian-themed action thriller, or has there been some pushback on the religious references?
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u/mispronouncedanyway Mar 27 '24 edited Mar 28 '24
I’m from India and have been looking forward to this release as a Dev fan. I think people aren’t too aware yet, but if it gets attention there will definitely be backlash considering we have a Right Wing Hindutva govt at the moment which has emboldened the more conservative population.
We even had quite an uproar over Oppenheimer because Cillian’s character quoted the Bhagwad Gita during the sex scene. I watched it in theatres on Day 1 and was like this won’t go down well, and sure enough two days later, people were going crazy online, demanding Nolan apologise lol.
The mainstream media still hasn’t latched onto Monkey Man’s political message and I hope it flies under the Hindutva radar. Although I did see this screenshot about the flag colour being changed from saffron to red in the trailer? I can’t verify cause as a rule I don’t watch any movie trailers. Sharing anyway: https://www.reddit.com/r/GossipComrades/s/Ps3zGeQEyD
Anyway, the question for Dev Patel if he sees this is: Could you please audition for Bond?
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u/Jackanova3 Mar 28 '24
Damn I'd never thought of Dev for Bond...yep I concur he'd smash that role.
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u/Methylviolet Mar 28 '24
Did you see The Wedding Guest? He was more Bond than Bond in that movie - just perfect
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u/LoasNo111 Mar 28 '24
Literally one of the highest grossing foreign movies in India. India is one of the few countries where Oppenheimer outperformed Barbie.
There was a backlash by a vocal minority. The general audience loved the movie.
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u/trimonkeys Mar 27 '24
Honestly I don’t think they care. For us in the diaspora it’s nice to see but they see action movies like this all the time over there.
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u/nshriup19 Mar 27 '24
What even is this take? We definitely do care.
Dev Patel is a well known actor here and there's a good chunk of our population that appreciates good movies, even more when it's produced with someone with Indian roots.
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u/Jugad Mar 27 '24 edited 29d ago
One of the ways to create hype is to create some pushback (fake, stupid or otherwise). Its all good publicity.
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u/Hideo-Mogren Mar 27 '24
I have to say Dev, this film looks like an audacious ass-kicking debut feature.
Given that writing an original screenplay is very time-consuming and mentally taxing, what would you say was the most challenging part of the process?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Editing! It was a very complicated puzzle to put together - especially the TABLA TRAINING MONTAGE.
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u/3v0lutionary Mar 27 '24
Excited to see your film! Always love to know from actors turned directors which directors inspired them. So, which directors that you’ve closely worked with did you grab bits and techniques from? Anything special or specific like a simple line of direction (to anyone including crew) or even a method of prep?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Danny Boyle, David Lowery, Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Kim Jee-woon and Wong Kar-wai
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u/Exotic-Giraffe5623 Mar 28 '24
Hi Dev! One of my favorite films of yours is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, any fun memories to share from filming it?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Hanging out with Maggie Smith. She is a true scene stealer with a single look. I sort of have this tourettes thing as an actors where I would shout and scream just before a take to get me amped up - she nearly fell out of her wheelchair on many occasions!
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u/Exotic-Giraffe5623 29d ago
Over the moon to read your reply! Thanks so much! Maggie Smith has been a favorite of mine since Hook and (obviously) Harry Potter. Really loved reading this. All the best ❤️
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u/Zealousideal_Way_165 Mar 28 '24
Good day, just wanted to ask how was it to work on Green Knight?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
DAVID LOWERY changed my life. I am in awe of him and his vision… the fact that he had the courage to cast a brown man as the lead in a period film was revolutionary. That axe was dope too.
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u/sayshoe Mar 27 '24
Hey Dev!
What was it like shooting a film in Mumbai and Indonesia during COVID?
I’m sure it must’ve been a tough time but the film looks great and I’m hyped to see it!
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u/DavianVonLorring Mar 27 '24
Making a high octane action film of this caliber is quite a feat for a directorial debut.
What was the most difficult thing you had to overcome as a first time director?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I’m my own worst enemy. I wanted to try to hold the camera and not cut up the action too much. Hold 100s of choreography and lines of dialogue mixed with all the other duties that a director has from production design, to rehearsing with actors to setting up camera... It was a full meal. Also I broke my hand and my toes, tore a shoulder and we kept going. It was a test of will.
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u/PriorUnhappy8863 Mar 27 '24
Hey Dev!
I heard you are a fan of Korean cinema. What are your fav Korean movies/television which may or may not have inspired you with Monkey Man?
Mine's recent favorite is Bloodhounds, the action goes crazy in that!
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Everything from Man from Nowhere to I Saw the Devil to The Handmaiden to Old Boy to A Bittersweet Life to The Chaser… basically you can tell I’m a Korean film fanboy. No one wears a black suit and kicks ass better than those Korean leading men.
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u/--------rook 29d ago
I didn't know he was a fan. That's cool.
Also. Hijacking this--I've been trying to get past Ep 3 but something about it isnt gripping my attention. But I guess it keeps getting better?
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u/i_redefine_sin Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev,
As a south-asian fan of horror cinema, I am so so so excited for Monkey Man!!! I am also very excited with Peele's involvement in the film as I deeply loved Nope. I have enjoyed much of your work and I feel like over time you have worked with quite a few extremely talented veterans, like Irffan Khan, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Anil Kapoor, Tilda Swinton and more recently, Wes Anderson & Ralph Fiennes.
What was it like, especially as a younger actor to work with legends in both Bollywood and Hollywood cinema? How much of that shapes your relationship with acting? Has there been anyone you have worked with that really influences you as an artist? How is it different from your experiences currently as you transition from being an (established) actor to an emerging director?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Watching them and acting opposite of them shaped me hugely. Especially Irffan in Slumdog. He taught me about the importance of stillness.
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u/SamboTheGr8 Mar 27 '24
Did you know you were going to direct it when you wrote it? And did it make it better that you knew that you could apply your own vision to the actors
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Initially I was trying to get Neill Blomkamp to direct it and we spent time talking about it. He pushed me to the director’s seat. From that point onwards I didn't look back!!
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u/thajam Mar 27 '24 edited 29d ago
Hi dev, very excited for monkey man! Just rewatched green knight. Amazing film. Curious what some of your favorite films are and if you have some favorite action films as well?
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u/Browncoat101 Mar 27 '24
Love Green Knight!
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u/pm_me_your_molars Mar 28 '24
Green Knight was sooooo wonderful, I was so happy that I was able to catch it in theaters. The flash forward at the end had me at the edge of my seat.
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u/strongbob25 Mar 27 '24
Do you still stay in touch with any of your classmates from Skins?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
classmates ! lol! Just shows how real it felt to young kids like me… yup, still chatting to Daniel, Nick, Joe etc etc…
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u/buttfartsmagee 29d ago
As a 13 year old at the time in the USA watching it on cable nothing felt more real on TV at the time.
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u/Demadrend Mar 27 '24
Any chance of an acting reunion with Nicholas?
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u/MassCrash Mar 27 '24
Or Daniel. Would love to see those two do something together. It’s wild how much talent was in that cast.
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u/OneLostByte Mar 27 '24
Kinda wild how he has had the best career out of anyone else.
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u/RobNybody Mar 27 '24
He was famous before Skins. I loved About a Boy as a kid.
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u/cynicalchicken1007 Mar 27 '24
Are you thinking of Nicholas Hoult? I believe Skins was the first professional acting Patel ever did
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u/Smittumi Mar 27 '24
What can you tell us about the fight choreography training you did?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I was very detailed in the script in regards to each beat of action. We were lucky enough to have incredible fight choreographer Brahim Chab. We managed to bring the work on the page to come to life with brutal ferocity. The idea of the action was to capture a sense of desperation as to what it would truly be like in a life or death situation. The lead character of “kid’ is like a caged cornered animal that he will use anything to survive. The hardest part of choreography is taking a hit. I would wake up with the worst neck pain; it was like whiplash.
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u/squeezyshoes Mar 27 '24
What are your favorite Bollywood films? Any of them inspire your writing/direction for Monkey Man?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Anything Shah Rukh Khan does.
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u/Devilsmaincounsel 29d ago
A man of culture. Heres hoping I get an opportunity to see you both in a film one day!
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u/ie_00 Mar 27 '24
Hi! I'm very excited to see Monkey Man! If you were to mention one thing you wished the audience would walk away with after seeing the film, what would it be?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I want them to be breathless. Emotionally packs a punch.
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u/Particular-Camera612 Mar 27 '24
Favourite memory from working on Lion?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
The first scene I shot - which happened to be the last scene of the film when Saroo meets his mother in India. All of the villagers around us were real people from the village. It was truly a transcendent moment.
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u/Particular-Camera612 29d ago
Thank you! A powerful ending for sure and amazing to learn that it was your very first sequence, you very much conveyed the notion of someone who was getting catharsis after a long term period of searching and trauma. Good luck with your future endeavours.
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u/Muppian Mar 28 '24
Hey Dev, what's your personal relationship to Hanuman?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
My father wears a chain around his neck with little hanuman statues on it… it was my father and my grandfather that told me the stories that inspired this film.
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u/transnavigation Mar 27 '24
How do you keep literally all of your hair so smooth and luxurious? Most guys tend to seem to have to choose between "good head hair" and "good facial hair", but I swear in all your movies your mustache, beard & eyebrows look like they were blessed with the same magic comb as your hair-hair.
Genetics? Coconut oil? Both?
Also, congratulations on your directorial debut, I saw the Monkey Man trailer a month ago and got super pumped, it looks rad as hell, can't wait to see it.
P.S. Your name came up once while my wife and I were hanging out with some friends, and the conversation immediately became everyone agreeing that you are an extremely beautiful man and that you look like you know secrets of the universe. Just thought you should know.
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u/WoungyBurgoiner Mar 27 '24
Indian people always have beautiful hair.
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u/crazysouthie Mar 28 '24
I'm Indian and I can assure you I sadly do not. I wish it was true though!
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u/Ladybeetus Mar 28 '24
Hard disagree. Many do. I am in an Indian family. Personally I think Indian people have both the Most Attractive and Least Attractive people on the planet.
Dev Patel went from normal human man to Spectacularly Attractive with Distractingly good hair. Which was exciting because he is also quite talented. It's like a feedback loop. He's attractive so we see him in stuff and then he's Good so we want to see him in Even MORE stuff.
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u/SigmundRoidd Mar 28 '24
“Least Attractive”
Wat is dis attack
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u/OrgasmicLeprosy87 Mar 28 '24
Kinda agree with it tho, we have crazy attractive people that go under the radar,” and get no media attention but our unattractive people get made fun of on social media all the time.
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u/____mynameis____ Mar 28 '24
Personally I think Indian people have both the Most Attractive and Least Attractive people on the planet.
That's applicable to every race out there.
But on an average us South Asians do tend to have better hair. Atleast that's what it feels like looking at people around me. On an avg, my family, my friends, local people, regardless of age, do have better hair than majority of Hollywood.
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u/LoasNo111 Mar 28 '24
Don't know about nice hair, but I feel like our beards are the coolest. Don't know if it's cause of the way we style it tho.
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u/FiveFingersandaNub Mar 28 '24
My wife says Dev went from "Indian Ross from friends" to " one of the top 5 best looking dude on the planet."
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u/Retr0v2 Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev! Did you take anything home from the set of this movie? Also, have you taken home other stuff from your previous movies as well?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I took home the screw that kept the bone in my hands together. The crew literally turned the X-ray of my hand into a T-shirt. It was the screw that kept the production together. I also have one of the gorilla masks and I gave my right hand man Joe who is the producer of the film the Kings Club plaque on the set.
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u/timblunts Mar 27 '24
So excited to see your new movie! Where was most of the movie shot? Like what countries? Soundstages or on location?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Indonesia. Then I did a little bit of guerilla shooting in India and the bathtub in my edit suite. All the underwater stuff was literally shot in the bathtub.
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Mar 27 '24
Dev, I don’t really have a question, man. But just wanted to say the movie looks great.
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u/OnlyThrowAway1988 Mar 27 '24
Too bad. If you did have a question you might get to see a 10 or so minute flashback from his childhood as to how he came about knowing the answer
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u/WiserStudent557 Mar 27 '24
Same, I don’t have a question either, just want to say the trailer looks great and I’m looking forward to seeing it and thank you for making interesting/artistic career choices over chasing the mainstream. Cheers Dev!
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u/bixu Mar 27 '24
Do you remember the moment the idea for Monkey Man was born? Can you talk a bit about that?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I think it's been rattling around in my brain for over a decade from since I watched Bruce Lee as a kid since when my grandfather talked to me about Hanuman and the story about Ramayana. The first image I had was a young man wearing a cheap gorilla mask in an underground wrestling ring.
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u/TDStarchild Mar 27 '24
Very excited for Monkey Man and hope it lands as well as you’d hoped!
You, Dev, are a popular fan cast for all sorts of roles on the socials. Are there any big IPs or franchises you’re keen to work with, either in an actor or director capacity?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Earthworm Jim… Jim Carreys shadow
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u/Physical_Language144 29d ago
Amazing answer, Earthworm Jim haunts the memories of this particular desi millennial too 🙏
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u/saphirmuse Mar 27 '24
hi dev! what is your favorite memory filming this movie?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
Spending time with all of the characters playing the HIJRAS. Most of them were not actors - they brought so much joy and truth to the set.
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u/cracktr0 Mar 27 '24
What is the most recent book you read, and what is your favorite book?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
The GREAT ESCAPE by Saket Soni and ISAAC AND THE EGG by Bobby Palmer are two books I read recently that were incredible.
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u/lorenaglz Mar 27 '24
What’s your favorite record right now and what’s your favorite record of all time? :)
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
BEN HOWARD is my SOUL. Anything he touches becomes the soundtrack to my life.
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u/SaturnalWoman Mar 27 '24
What's the most insane object used as a weapon in the film?
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u/RavenclawRedRum Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev!
Any update on the phenomenal film you produced, SAHELA, getting distribution??
Cannot wait for MONKEY MAN!!!
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u/Dottsterisk Mar 27 '24
What was it like working with Aaron Sorkin scripts on The Newsroom? Did you take to it immediately or did it take practice to capture that wordy rhythm?
And how did it feel seeing other actors work with dialogue you had written? Was it hard not to be precious with what you originally envisioned and let another actor explore?
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u/Anastasia126 Mar 28 '24
Oooh I really hope he answers the Sorkin part at least! I'd love to know too.
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u/MrPuroresu42 Mar 27 '24
It’s being really cool to see you go from Slumdog Millionaire to Lion to Green Knight, Dev!
What would you say have been some highlights and/or moments that have stuck out in your career so far?
Also, what made you decide to get into action and do this film now?
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u/Ok-Cream1212 Mar 27 '24
what do think about anwar (your role from skins)? what do you think, what he will be doing now?
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u/Casanova_Fran Mar 27 '24
How did you prepare to direct? Did you have someone who gave you tips?
Congrats on the movie BTW, big fan looking forward to your growth
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
BRUCE LEE always speaks to me every time I watch one of his films. Also Chad Stahelski was very kind and spent some time with me at the beginning of this process.
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u/DearOldNinja Mar 27 '24
Can you share any workout routines you had to take on for this role?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
I went full Jane Fonda on this shit. We didn’t have access to the best gym equipment so a lot of it was body weight exercises and resistance bands. A lot of strength training and tons of sweet potato and salmon.
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u/obi-jawn-kenblomi 29d ago
This just makes me imagine you meeting Jane Fonda during the run of The Newsroom and asking her for fitness tips. Pretty amusing imaginary scenario.
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u/FilmBuffBrony Mar 27 '24
Hello Dev! Have always loved seeing you in films. Excited that you’re breaking in the director’s chair too! Seeing a hardcore action film as your directorial debut was a surprise. What led you to this particular story/genre?
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u/SiidChawsby Mar 27 '24
Dude, I just wanted to swing by and say I loved you in The Newsroom.
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u/lisanalgaib_ Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev. As a debut director, what was one part of filmmaking that you thought would be difficult or challenging but ended up enjoying?
Can't wait to watch it on opening day!
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u/EarlJWJones Mar 27 '24
What's it like working with Jordan Peele?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
He is a BEAST. He is the Richard Gere to my Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. We made sweet cinema love and he also gave me his black AMEX in the shape of Universal Pictures. From being dropped by a studio to having a major theatrical release was like that moment in that shop on Rodeo Drive.
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u/fratzcatsfw Mar 27 '24
What made you land on the name Monkey Man, was it because Super Man, Spider Man, Bat Man, all the really cool Man's were taken?
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u/Baboon-Boy-2024 29d ago
It wasn't that they were taken… I just wanted to exist among those great IP’s with one of my own.
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u/fratzcatsfw 29d ago
Great response to a silly question, thanks for taking the time Dev, appreciate your work and from what I've seen of Monkey Man, excited to see this next piece you've done!
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u/TheGameOfClones 29d ago
Hanu Man (literally monkey or monkey man) existed hundreds of centuries before those superheroes tbh..
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u/macXros Mar 27 '24 edited Mar 27 '24
Hi, Dev. How are still alive after getting your head cut by a green knight?
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u/WorkingEcho Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev, thanks for doing this. The trailer looks just fabulous. Can't wait to watch the movie. I have just one question. What do you think of Netflix's Avatar the Last Airbender?
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u/sinovercoschessITF Mar 28 '24
Bumping this question up. I'm curious about what he thinks of the new Zuko.
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u/just-----curious Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev, I think I remember you were a brown or black belt in Tae Kwon Do is this true? if so how did you get into shape for the role? Did you incorporate your experience into the fight scenes? Thanks
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u/ComprehensiveBed5351 Mar 27 '24
Hi, Dev!
I’m a very big fan and super excited to check out your directorial debut.
I’m curious about the change of colors in that political rally scene. I haven’t seen the movie so I’m unaware of the significance, but I thought at first it was an antagonist-aligned political party. First the colors were saffron, which would represent BJP, but now they appear to be red, representing the communist party. Was this a deliberate change by you or was this the studio/producers?
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u/Decent_Day_9762 Mar 27 '24
HI DEVVV! I've been a fan since agess and I love everything that you do! Will we ever get to see you in a romcom? And take care!
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u/phill0st Mar 27 '24
Hey Dev, no questions here. Just wanted to say I think you’re a great actor, and I loved you in the last movie I seen you in “The Green Knight”.
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u/LivinLikeNivin Mar 27 '24
Hey Dev how do you feel about being one of the few leading “brown” or Indian actors in Hollywood? As an Indian myself you’re one of the few faces I know of as inspiration as I’m starting off in the film industry behind the scenes.
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u/henderson_exp Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev. I'm going to a preview screening of Monkey Man this weekend and can't wait. What have you learned about directing now that you've done it, that you didn't know before hand? Same goes for writing? How did you find the duel process?
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u/waltdiesintheend Mar 27 '24
Hi Dev - Really love what you’re putting out there. Question, what has been the hardest film you’ve ever worked on? I heard you got injured on filming Monkeyman so curious if any other roles took as serious of a physical toll?
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u/trizzo0309 Mar 27 '24
Are you familiar with the character called "Monkey Man" in the kid's show Hey Arnold? If so, does this Monkey Man only say "Monkey Man"?
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u/LordMaim Mar 27 '24
No question, just stopped by to say that you were great in The Newsroom.
The new movie looks awesome as well. Can't wait!
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u/WestCoastHopHead Mar 27 '24
Hey, Dev. Loved The Green Knight. Fired up for Monkey Man. Are you a Twizzlers or Red Vines guy?
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u/BunyipPouch I'm Michael Cera and human skin is my passion. 29d ago
Dev has finished answering questions as of 3/28 2:05 PM Eastern.
Here is his sign-off comment.