Jammu, April 24 -- Much discussion has emerged online among Indian audiences about Academy Award nominee Dev Patel's directorial debut 'Monkey Man', despite its release status in the country remaining unclear. The action thriller starring Patel in the titular role, premiered in several international markets earlier this month after production by Jordan Peele and others.

However, as the prospect of a local theatrical run faces uncertainty possibly due to the film's political themes, copies have surfaced illegally on the internet. Many viewers in India subsequently watched and engaged in conversations about the movie across social media platforms.

Praise for 'Monkey Man' has been effusive, with some describing it as one of the bravest and...