Amid the uncertainty surrounding the release of Dev Patel’s directorial debut Monkey Man in India, the film got leaked online and the impatient audience resorted to watching its pirated version.
This happened after Monkey Man was made available on 'Video on Demand' (VOD) platforms in the US on the occasion of Patel’s birthday on April 23 and came as a significant blow to the entire team.
However, Warner Bros Pictures, which distributes Universal Pictures’ films in India, was quick to take action and pulled down the link of the pirated copies.
“It took the team more than 12 hours to find the source link. After the first link was pulled down by Tuesday afternoon, it was circulated by people on Google Drive. It wasn’t until 8.30 pm on Tuesday that all links were successfully pulled down. Several accounts that had shared the link on X have been sent copyright violation notices by the micro-blogging site,” a source informed an Indian daily.
Monkey Man is a project close to Patel's heart, not only because it marks his directorial debut but also because of its cultural significance.
The film delves into themes of redemption, identity, and the immigrant experience, echoing Patel's own journey as a British actor of Indian descent.
Set against the backdrop of modern-day Mumbai, Monkey Man promises to be a captivating exploration of the city's complex socio-cultural landscape.
Meanwhile, the film has been stuck with the Censor Board of India for quite some time now. According to the reports, the CBFC has been skeptical about releasing the film in India because they fear it might hurt the religious sentiments of the Indians as well as the “excessive violence” portrayed in the film.
They are also unsure about releasing the film in India, ahead of the undergoing Lok Sabha Elections as the movie is inspired by the legend of Lord Hanuman and is laced with political themes.
From timeless icons to new-gen stars, Bollywood’s finest come together for a historic UK tour
Bollywood megastar and timeless dancing queen returns to captivate British audiencesGetty Images 
Maid - Alex scrubs her way to survival one heart-breaking shift at a time 
I Am Not Okay With This - High school rage and telekinetic chaos, Sydney didn’t come to play
Terra Nova - Time-traveling to the past never looked this dino-dramatic
Firefly—too cool for space, too good for this world
Freaks and Geeks - Teen angst, flannel shirts, and the birth of comedy legends
Nick and Priyanka enjoy a quiet family momentInstagram/PriyankaChopra
Chirag Rao brings the magic of Bollywood hits to life with a jazz twist in his upcoming Bollywood Bratpack concert
Nazeem Hussain prepares to bring his unique comedic style to Leicester Square Theatre for his highly anticipated You Paid For This show
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins: Despite a star-studded cast, this Netflix release is shaping up to be another disappointing addition to the streaming platform
Isabelle Kaif’s journey in Bollywood continues to be plagued by setbacks, with her upcoming film Suswagatam Khushamadeed facing an uncertain future
Abir Gulaal brings together Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor in a cross-border romantic comedy, offering a refreshing message of love and unity
Manoj Kumar, a true Bollywood legend, leaves behind a legacy of iconic films that celebrated patriotism and meaningful storytelling
Manoj Kumar’s legacy in Bollywood is defined by his iconic roles and patriotic cinema that resonated deeply with audiences for generations
Ranjeet reflects on his legendary Bollywood career, sharing intriguing behind-the-scenes tales from his iconic villain roles in an exclusive interview
Ambika Mod takes centre stage in Porn Play, an intriguing and thought-provoking production at the Royal Court, expected to be one of the year's most in-demand theatre events
Emraan Hashmi hopes for a career revival with a sequel to Awarapan, but his recent track record leaves many confused about his comeback