John Kiriakou, a former CIA operative, has commended Dev Patel for his compelling portrayal in the 2019 film about the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Hotel Mumbai. As a versatile actor, Patel has captivated audiences in a variety of roles, demonstrating his range from his breakout performance in the 2008 hit Slumdog Millionaire to his directorial venture, Monkey Man, slated for release in 2024. His dynamic screen presence makes each of his performances truly memorable.
In addition to original storytelling, Patel has taken on significant roles in adaptations. Noteworthy performances include his titular role in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) and his portrayal of Sir Gawain in The Green Knight (2021). Furthermore, Patel’s work extends into biographical films, such as his depiction of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in the 2015 film The Man Who Knew Infinity. Yet, it is his role in the harrowing dramatization of the Mumbai attacks that stands out as a crucial moment in his career.
Accuracy of Patel’s 2019 Film, Hotel Mumbai, Regarding Real-World Terror Attacks
Expert Evaluation Confirms the Film’s Realism
Kiriakou has highlighted that Hotel Mumbai closely mirrors the actual events of the 2008 attacks. In the film, Patel takes on the role of Arjun, a chef at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, navigating the chaos as he collaborates with American guest David, portrayed by Armie Hammer, to ensure their escape while aiding others. The film has earned a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting its unflinching portrayal of the tragic events, despite some concerns regarding exploitation in specific scenes.
In his discussion with Insider during the “How Real Is It?”series, Kiriakou praised the film, offering insights into the terror attacks’ unfolding events, including his unique understanding of the situation as it was occurring:
Oh my God, yeah. I remember that like it was yesterday. What we’re seeing in this clip is just one aspect of what was a very well-coordinated, long-term attack in Mumbai. More than 100 people were killed. I was working for ABC News when that took place. I was a counterterrorism consultant at ABC News, and I decided to flip through the channels to see what everybody was saying about this attack. I got to CNN – it’s Al-Qaeda. Go to Fox – it’s Al-Qaeda. MSNBC – it’s Al-Qaeda. And I said to my wife, “Al-Qaeda has no beef with the Indians. Why would they do something like this?”So I went to ABC, and I get mic’d up, and go on, and they ask me my initial impressions, and I said, “I don’t think this is Al-Qaeda. I think this is a Kashmiri separatist group. It turned out, it was a Kashmiri separatist group. We learned later, like a year later, that they had carried out these attacks with training from Al-Qaeda. The Indians, frankly, were caught flat-footed. Certainly they have experience with terrorism in Kashmir, and this is an issue – an ongoing, violent issue – between the Indians and the Pakistanis in the north of the country. But in Mumbai? They’d never experienced anything like this before.
Kiriakou also lauded the film for authentically capturing the bravery of hotel staff who risked their lives to evacuate guests, potentially saving hundreds. He rated the film a remarkable 9 out of 10 for its adherence to real-life events. View his full commentary in the video below:
Yeah the hotel staff. This is really the story here. They were absolutely heroic in their quick thinking to save probably hundreds of hotel guests. They were able to get them out of the hotel. Yeah, this movie was right on. I’d give it a 9 or a 10 [out of 10]. This was an excellent movie.
Insights from Kiriakou’s Analysis on Hotel Mumbai‘s Authenticity
A Powerful Representation of the Day’s Horrors
Kiriakou’s favorable assessment reinforces the idea that, despite some critical backlash regarding its portrayal of sensitive topics, Hotel Mumbai effectively represents the tragic events it depicts. Patel’s performance plays a pivotal role in this accurate historical depiction, marking it as a significant piece in his portfolio. The film’s honest representation of such a critical moment in Indian history elevates its status within Patel’s career.
Looking ahead, Patel will next appear in Rabbit Trap, a psychological horror film co-starring Rosy McEwen.
Source: Insider/YouTube
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