Dev Patel Says He Was Once Ashamed Of His Indian Heritage: 'It's Not The Coolest In Greater London...'

Dev Patel’s first film as a director, Monkey Man, is influenced by Indian mythology. However, the British actor confessed that he once felt ashamed of his Indian heritage. During an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, Dev admitted that there was a time when he was ashamed of the Indian part of his heritage, because it wasn’t the “coolest”.

“There was a time when I was ashamed of the Indian part of my heritage. When you’re in school in Greater London, it’s not the coolest. I’m trying what I can to not show that part, going into films like Slumdog Millionaire and doing all these kind of movies. I realised actually that with the first movie I’m going to direct, I’m not going to double down, I’m going to triple down on culture,” said the actor, who shot to fame with Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

He mentioned that Monkey Man is based on an old story about Lord Hanuman, who loses his confidence and identity but rediscovers himself with the help of marginalized groups, making it a great storyline for an action movie. “I grew up watching Bollywood and Bruce Lee and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Carrey and Jackie Chan. It’s all in there (in Monkey Man). It’s the cocktail that makes me,” said Dev.

The action thriller follows Dev Patel’s character, a young man seeking justice for his mother’s death caused by corrupt leaders. However, his quest for revenge takes an unexpected turn as he becomes a champion for the oppressed, transforming into the titular Monkey Man. The film also stars Sikandar Kher, Sharlto Copley, Sobhita Dhulipala, Makarand Deshpande, Ashwini Kalsekar, among others. Dev Patel serves as both the lead actor and a producer alongside Hollywood filmmaker Jordan Peele. Monkey Man premiered to excellent reviews at SXSW earlier this year.