LGBTQ South Asians are celebrating Dev Patel's "Monkey Man" for its representation of India's transgender, hijra, community. Members of the hijra community, often demonized or mocked in media, ...

“Monkey Man” is also notable for its portrayal of hijras, India’s third-gender community who consider themselves neither male nor female, said Krishnamurti.

“Monkey Man” is also notable for its portrayal of hijras, India’s third-gender community who consider themselves neither male nor female, said Krishnamurti.

Groups of hijras tend to cohabit, just like in Monkey Man, both out of necessity and for safety, making a living through things like begging, ritual performances, sex work or as servants and cooks.

However, monkey man’s story is fully understood and developed. The movie highlights the use of religion to gain power, whether it is empowering “good” or “evil.” While the monkey man sees religion ...

The intent here is righteous — three hijra actresses make their screen debuts in “Monkey Man” — but the timing is unfortunate. Kid’s evolution requires the movie to stop and take a breath.

By invoking Hanuman — one of the most beloved Hindu deities — in a critique of Hindu nationalism, some film critics say Dev Patel’s action thriller does something novel.

“Monkey Man,” Dev Patel’s directorial debut action thriller that he also stars in, wrote and produced, opens with a tale familiar to Hindus around the world.