Dev Patel attributed Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Koyla as a major influence to his identity.
Dev Patel opened up about the impact of Shah Rukh Khan’s film Koyla and how it influenced his identity.
Oscar nominee Dev Patel is eagerly preparing for the Indian premiere of his acclaimed film Monkey Man. In the midst of promotion efforts, Patel revealed his profound respect for Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan, particularly highlighting the film that greatly impacted his life.
The film in focus is Koyla, a 1997 action thriller helmed by Rakesh Roshan. Speaking to Draw Your Box, Patel shared his cherished memories of watching Koyla, starring Shah Rukh Khan as a mute protagonist portraying the role with remarkable intensity. Patel vividly described the character portrayed by Khan, showcasing red eyes and a mullet hairstyle, wielding a sword while soaked in sweat.
Patel went on to compare his own identity to the film’s plot, describing it as a harrowing tale of revenge fueled by the protagonist’s forced silence from swallowing hot coals. He remarked, “A brutal revenge epic where he’d lost his voice by being forced to swallow hot coals and it was like, it’s kind of got it all. It’s kind of, you know, like me in a way. My identity is kind of, it’s been formed by all of these influences,” he exclaimed.
Patel’s admiration for Shah Rukh Khan isn’t new. In a recent Reddit AMA, when asked about his favorite Bollywood movies and their influence on his writing and direction for Monkey Man, Patel enthusiastically responded, “Anything Shah Rukh Khan does.”
Released in 1997, Koyla featured an ensemble cast including Madhuri Dixit, Amrish Puri, and Johnny Lever, among others. Directed, co-written, and produced by Rakesh Roshan, the film ranked as the year’s eighth most successful. This project marked the third and final collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rakesh Roshan.
Monkey Man, starring Dev Patel in a stellar role along with Sobhita Dhulipala and Sikandar Kher among others, revolves around a mysterious young man’s quest for revenge against corrupt leaders responsible for his mother’s death and the continued exploitation of the disadvantaged. The film’s IMDb synopsis outlines a narrative of retribution and justice.
Initially, Monkey Man was set for Netflix release but when actor and filmmaker Jordan Peele, whose production company has a distribution deal with Universal Pictures, watched the film, he decided that Monkey Man deserves a theatrical release instead.
