The Monkey Man, it would be recalled, was a strange half-monkey half-human creature that attacked petrified folks in Delhi in the year 2001. The creature was also a part of Rakesh Omprakash Mehra film Delhi 6.
Abhishek Sharma who has been underground since the release and success of Tere Bin Laden, apparently writing a sequel which post the death of Laden has been shelved, now surfaces with the graphic novel which will feature India's only dark comic character.
Explaining why he chose to go from filmmaking to writing a graphic novel, Sharma explains, "I am fascinated by the comic format. I am coming out with a graphic novel entitled Munkeeman. It will be launched in Mumbai on 23 October. "
Speaking on the similarities to Delhi 6 Abhishek says, "In Delhi 6 they used this urban legend like a metaphor. This time we are telling his story, his point of view. And most importantly trying to create India's first Dark Superhero who is an Antagonist for the society. "
Abhishek plans to make Munkeeman into a franchise. "There will be comics, video games, and definitely a feature film! It is inspired by a true urban legend about a monster who believes he's a super-hero.
The story is about an absurd creature who wreaked havoc on the rooftops and street corners of Delhi. Nobody ever got a full glimpse of him but the few unlucky who encountered him, described him as half human and half ape.
The police, the media and the gossip- mongers, started to call to him Munkeeman. Now Ten years Later, he is back with a bang! And this time, he wants the world to know his side of the story. His name is Dr. Dheeraj Dhalla or DD, and he is a molecular biologist.
He is working on a secret experiment called 'Reverse Evolution'. He is in love with Sayani, his stepsister! He is a social misfit who wants to be a vigilante. A monster who believes he is a super hero! His super powers ?
He can climb tall structures in seconds, jump from great heights in a flash, and bite off human bones with his powerful jaw. He can lift heavy objects and throw them around. He can tear a man from limb to limb. He can crush hardest of substances with his bare hands. But his biggest power is that he can unintentionally create terror in the heart of the society. "
Abhishek Sharma's feature film on Munkeeman which will star Tere Bin Laden's Ali Zafar in the title role.
When asked about the film Sharma says, "Yes I'm converting my graphic novel into a film. But it's too early to discuss the cast. "