Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” made its premiere at the 2024 South by Southwest Festival, and it impressed critics and action/thriller lovers alike. Not only is it Patel’s directorial debut, but it’s also the first Hollywood role for breakout star Sobhita Dhulipala. The Indian actress and supermodel auditioned for the role of Sita in 2016, early on in her career. “I got a call back, I met Dev, and I could see how much this story meant to him and how involved he was in every aspect of the film coming together,” Dhulipala tells PS. “I respect that passion and dedication – and about a good four or five years after that is when I get another call saying, ‘Hey, this film’s happening finally.'”
Although the movie hit a few roadblocks in the production stage, it’s now a worldwide success, thanks to gritty action sequences and compelling storytelling. “My joy was in the making of it,” she says. “When we were shooting it in those challenging circumstances, that was like the zenith for me in this experience, not the release. It’s just such a beautiful feeling to be picked by a first-time filmmaker, to be part of their vision. I had faith in his sincerity, in his passion, and in his honesty in wanting to tell a story with all his heart. There was no reason to not do it.”
Dhulipala often plays characters who are complex, and she enjoys it. “With Sita, there was a vulnerability but also strength. There was beauty but also grief. She was so many opposite things coming together, and that always makes for an interesting character. We are a mix of many things, so to meet a character at a time in her life when she’s at the cusp of something dramatic that’s about to happen, she’s about to break free and fly out of it, I thought there was a certain beauty to her beyond what meets the eye, and I was drawn to it.”
For those interested in diving into Indian cinema after watching “Monkey Man,” Dhulipala recommends watching “Jallikattu” and “Manjummel Boys,” which are two Malayalam-language films inspired by rural stories. She also recommends
Dhulipala’s onscreen presence is nothing short of mesmerizing, and her personal style is just as timeless, effortless, and elegant. With each red carpet look, she cements herself as a force in fashion – and she cites India’s style legacy as inspiration. “India has this incredibly rich history of textile, print, embroidery, and so much history in terms of the different rulers and leaders and their influences and music and literature,” she explains. “It is like this melting pot through time that has constantly churned out great iconic style legacies. So I draw major inspiration from that legacy and heritage, and I think I like my red carpet style to be monolithic, strong, silent, and big.”
Dhulipala is also one of the few Indian celebrities who embraces her natural, thick curls. “When I wake up, I wash my hair, I sit at home, I look at myself in the mirror and I see this mane of hair. Why do I need to tame it? Why do I need to make it obey? I don’t need to. It’s like my crown, so I just accept.”
Ahead, Dhulipala shares some of her current must-have products, including her favorite hair oil, perfume, coffee, and more.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
