Summary
TheMonkey Mancast features a dynamic group of actors from diverse backgrounds, enhancing the film’s rich cultural texture. Led by Dev Patel, who also co-wrote, directed, and co-produced the film,the cast includes largely Indian actorsknown for playing character roles in Hindi cinema or leading in streaming shows. Their collective performances contribute significantly toMonkey Man’s good reviews,imbuing the film with further emotional depth and realism. The neo-noir action movie stars Patel himself as Kid, a young man on a revenge mission against those who wronged his mother and continue to plague Indian politics and society.
Monkey Manreleased digitallyon July 01, 2025, while physical copies will be available after June 25. TheMonkey Manmovie earned $33 millionat the global box office after being dropped by Netflix due to its gritty nature and political themes about India. AlthoughMonkey Manis likeJohn Wick,it’s not just an action thriller, but a layered narrative rich with themes of revenge, community strength, and social justice.Patel’s portrayal of Kid is both physically intense and emotionally compelling, and he is backed by a talented cast of supporting actors.
Hijra tabla maestro
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Dev Patel as Kid
Date Of Birth: June 24, 2025
Actor: Born in Harrow, England, Dev Patel began his career playing Anwar Kharral in the 2007 E4 teen dramaSkins. However,his breakthrough role came with Danny Boyle’s 2008 dramaSlumdog Millionaire, which catapulted him into the international spotlight. His subsequent acclaimed performance came as Saroo Brierley in the 2016 dramaLion, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, his career has continued to flourish with films likeHotel Mumbai,The Personal History of David Copperfield, andThe Green Knight.However,Monkey Manmarks his entry as a bonafide action hero.
Monkey Man
Kid
Character:Kid is driven by vengeance and a profound sense of justice. He keeps getting flashbacks of his childhood, where he grew up with his loving mother in India’s forests until he was violently displaced by a corrupt cop. Now, Kid moonlights as a fighter in a dingy underground boxing ring, where he endures brutal beatings night after night, untilhe infiltrates an elite organization to avenge his mother’s death. His journey is marked by intense physical and emotional battles, as he evolves from a tragic victim of circumstance to a formidable force against exploitation and injustice.
Sobhita Dhulipala as Sita
Date Of Birth: July 13, 2025
Actor: Sobhita Dhulipala was born in Andhra Pradesh, India, and first gained prominence as a model. She made her acting debut in Anurag Kashyap’s 2016 thrillerRaman Raghav 2.0, buther breakthrough role was as Tara Khanna in the Amazon Prime Video drama seriesMade in Heaven.Dhulipala has acted across several Indian film industries, most notably in the critically acclaimed Tamil two-part epicPonniyin Selvan: IandPonniyin Selvan: II.Most recently, she featured in a Hindi remake of the 2016 British seriesThe Night Manager,where she played Kaveri Dixit, the equivalent of Elizabeth Debicki’s Jemima Marshall.
The Night Manager
Kaveri Dixit
Character:Sita is a sex worker at the elite establishment that Kid seeks to infiltrate.She only works with the wealthiest clients and appears at ease navigating her professionand the world she inhabits. At one point, she tells him that he needs to develop a thicker skin and more resilience to keep working there. However, Sita ends up being a crucial support for Kid in his quest to avenge his mother. She encourages him to fight and helps him at an important juncture.
Sikandar Kher as Rana Singh
Date Of Birth: June 23, 2025
Actor: Born in Mumbai, India, Sikandar Kher has played several supporting roles in Hindi films, fromKhelein Hum Jee Jaan SeytoTere Bin Laden 2toSooryavanshi.He recently gained recognition for his excellent performances in Indian streaming content, mainly Disney+ Hotstar’s thriller seriesAaryaand Netflix’s comedy thrillerMonica, O My Darlingand sci-fi seriesSense8.Next, he is set to feature in Amazon Prime Video’sCitadel: Honey Bunny,the Indian spin-off ofCitadel.
Citadel: Honey Bunny
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Character:Rana Singh is the principal antagonist ofMonkey Man.He is a corrupt cop who functions as the muscle for Baba Shakti and the political party he controls. Rana derives pleasure in threatening people and causing destruction. He is the main executor of the violence and pillaging that displaced Kid from the forests.Rana also brutalizes and kills Kid’s mother, making him the singular focus of Kid’s revenge. He is ruthless, manipulative, and a dangerous adversary for Kid.
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Makarand Deshpande as Baba Shakti
Date Of Birth: July 24, 2025
Actor:Makarand Deshpande was born in Maharashtra, India, and is a veteran character actor, with over 150 IMDb credits across Hindi, Marathi, Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and withMonkey Man,English-language cinema.He is known for his quirky, comedic character roles, where is plays a drunkard, eccentric, or wayward figure who contributes to the protagonist’s journey in some way. His most notable roles are Shiva in the 1999 Hindi thrillerSarfarosh,Fakir in 2004’sSwades,Peddayya in the 2022 epicRRR,and Sikandar Singh in 2023’sJailer.
Jailer
Sikandar Singh
Character:Baba Shakti is a charismatic, manipulative religious leader who controls the ruling Hindu nationalist Sovereign Party that is preparing for certain victory in an upcoming election.He exploits his influence to manipulate and oppress vulnerable communities, using Rana as his muscle. The whole reason Kid and his people are violently displaced is that Baba Shakti sparks a movement claiming their land used to be a Hindu religious site. As the other antagonist inMonkey Man,Baba Shakti represents the insidious intersection of religious and political power in India.
Monkey Man Supporting Cast & Characters
These Include Several Character Actors And One Indian Musical Legend
Pitabhash Tripathy as Alphonso: Pitabhash Tripathi plays Alphonso, a seasoned underworld player who serves as a mentor and ally to Kid. Navigating the complexities of the criminal world with wit and street-smart savvy,Alphonso offers Kid crucial guidance amid the chaos. Tripathi is known for his roles in Indian cinema, including comedic performances as Junior in3 Idiotsand Mandook inShor in the City.
Sharlto Copley as Tiger: Sharlto Copley gained international acclaim for hisbreakout role as Wikus van de Merwe inDistrict 9, demonstrating his ability to portray complex characters in science fiction settings. He has since starred in various films, includingElysiumandChappie. InMonkey Man,Sharlto Copley embodies the enigmatic and volatile character of Tiger, the man who hosts and runs the underground boxing club Kid fights in for money.
Vipin Sharma as Alpha: Vipin Sharma brings gravitas to the role of Alpha inMonkey Man.Alpha is the leader of the transgender hijra community who takes Kid inafter he gets brutally injured. He helps Kid heal and provides him with crucial guidance and support. Sharma is recognized for his impactful performances in Indian cinema, notably as the protagonist’s father, Nandkishore Awasthi, inTaare Zameen Par,Ehsan Qureshi inGangs of Wasseypur,and DCP Bhagat in the Amazon Prime Video seriesPataal Lok.
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Ashwini Kalsekar as Queenie Kapoor: Ashwini Kalsekar commands the screen as Queenie Kapoor,a formidable and ruthless manager of the high-end club and brothel that Kid infiltrates. Kalsekar is known for her versatile roles as a character actor in Indian cinema, most prominently as Rasika Jawanda inAndhadhun,Detective Joshi inBadlapur,and Varsha inJohnny Gaddaar.
Adithi Kalkunte as Neela: Adithi Kalkunte portrays Neela,Kid’s mother who features in all his flashbacks of his childhood.She is a loving mother who instils in Kid a strong connection with Hindu mythology and the forest’s natura environment. Her death is the principal catalyst for Kid’s quest for revenge. Kalkunte is most known for playing Dimple inHotel Mumbai,which also featured Patel in the lead role.
Jatin Malik as Young Kid: Jatin Malik captures the essence of Young Kid inMonkey Man, portraying the formative experiences that shape Kid’s trajectory.He captures the innocence and curiosity of Young Kid, along with his deep love for his mother. Malik has not appeared in any notable movie or TV show before this role.
Zakir Hussain as Hijra tabla maestro: Zakir Hussain is a renowned tabla player and actor, known for his immense contributions to both Indian classical music and Hindi cinema. He is widely considered one of the greatest tabla players of all time. His presence as a cameo in theMonkey Manas the Hijra tabla maestro adds cultural significance and authenticity to the narrative. The Hijra community plays a crucial role in Kid’s journey, providing support and solidarity amid adversity.
Cast
Monkey Man is a 2024 action-thriller film directed by and starring Dev Patel. Following his release from prison, a man known as “Kid” makes a living by engaging in anonymous underground fights in a mask where he is beaten down each night. However, after witnessing greed and corruption consuming his city, Kid breaks into the upper echelon of society to find those who destroyed his life and take them down.
