In Hollywood, where fame and success seem to follow a pattern, there are those who defy the odds and rise to prominence. One such individual is Dev Patel.
Where overnight success is often overshadowed by struggle, Dev Patel has emerged as an underdog hero. Hailing from modest, non-showbiz beginnings, worlds away from Tinseltown, Dev’s journey in the entertainment industry has required determination, versatility and authenticity. Ever since his breakout role in Slumdog Millionaire, he has fascinated audiences with his range and ability to bring memorable characters to life.
From suburbia to stardom
Born in Harrow, an outlying suburb of north-west London, to parents of Gujarati Indian descent, his childhood was marked by a love for acting and storytelling. Dev’s passion for performing led him to auditions, and eventually he caught the attention of casting directors.
His debut role was Anwar Kharral in Skins (2007), a teen TV drama that hinted at the potential within him. In 2008, after five rounds of auditions, he landed the life-changing role of Jamal Malik in Danny Boyle’s smash-hit film Slumdog Millionaire.
Set in the bustling slums of Mumbai, India, it’s the gripping story of a young boy’s journey through poverty, love and pursuing his dreams against the odds. Dev’s portrayal of Jamal, and his underdog story, resonated deeply with audiences across the globe. He was catapulted to instant, dizzying international fame and earned a BAFTA nomination along with more than a dozen other accolades. (History would repeat itself with the 2016 film Lion, for which he won the BAFTA and garnered an Oscar nomination.)
Versatility & authenticity
However, following the success of Slumdog Millionaire, Dev faced the challenge of stepping out from beneath the shadow of his breakthrough role and proving his versatility as an actor. “There wasn’t anything, and I wasn’t working,” he said. “I just stepped off the red carpet, surrounded by all these amazing actors and Oscar winners, and then there was nothing.”
He kept believing and auditioning, and with each subsequent project he managed to work in, Dev chose roles that showcased his ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, challenging stereotypes and defying expectations.
Audiences fell in love with him all over again in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) and its sequel, Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), in which he co-starred with some of the greatest British acting icons. From the intense action-thriller Hotel Mumbai and sci-fi film Chappie to the heart-wrenching drama Lion, Dev’s performances have been lauded for their authenticity and emotional depth.
About Lion, he said: “For a British-Indian guy, roles like this are few and far between, if not never. This really, when I read it, was such a profound script.” While Hollywood tends to favour familiarity, Dev’s choices exemplify a departure from the norm. His willingness to embrace unconventional characters and traverse diverse genres speaks volumes about his commitment to storytelling as a craft rather than a formulaic pursuit of stardom.
Interestingly, Dev has recently played two classic British literary heroes – the first time an actor of colour has been cast as these characters: Gawain in the medieval fantasy film The Green Knight (2021), and the titular character in an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) – for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
In an interview with Time magazine, Dev also emphasised his dedication to roles that resonate with audiences: “I seek characters that leave a lasting impact, stories that linger in the minds of viewers. I try to be as versatile as I can in the characters that I’m offered.”
Charitable endeavours
As we peer into Dev’s personal life, we encounter a man of substance – an actor with a social conscience. Beyond his onscreen triumphs, he actively engages in charity work, using his platform to make a positive impact on the world. One notable cause close to his heart is the advancement of education and opportunities for underprivileged children.
Dev has collaborated with organisations such as #LionHeart to provide financial assistance to over 11-million Indian children living on the streets. “There are organisations on the ground doing amazing work to help kids. And the best way we can help is by giving them the financial support they so desperately need,” he says.
He also supports Railway Children, founded to protect vulnerable children living on the streets in the UK, India and Tanzania, and Greenpeace, which campaigns for global environmental protection. Dev’s commitment to philanthropy demonstrates his genuine desire to uplift others.
Navigating life
Much like his screen roles, Dev’s personal life reflects a refreshing departure from Hollywood norms. In a world where relationships often make headlines for all the wrong reasons, his real-life love story with Slumdog Millionaire co-star Freida Pinto adds a layer of authenticity to his journey.
Reflecting on an incident at a Burberry fashion show in an interview with The Guardian, Dev recalled an encounter with famous photographer Mario Testino. “I was sitting there, and this fellow says, ‘Are you the one dating Freida Pinto?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I guess!’”
Discussing his relationship with Freida, Dev acknowledges the challenges that came with public scrutiny. “And then Mario says: ‘Why? How? Why is she dating you? She’s so beautiful.’ And I said, ‘Yeah. She is!’ And then he says, ‘But you’re so, ugh, so normal looking.’”
This encounter is also interesting if one considers that director Danny Boyle stated he’d cast Dev in Slumdog because all the other Indian Bollywood actors had been too good-looking and well-built: “I wanted a guy who didn’t look like a potential hero; I wanted him to earn that in the film.”
Freida was Dev’s first significant relationship, and despite the challenges and their break-up in 2014 after six years together, he still holds her in high regard. “We are incredibly close. She’s just a really generous, patient human being who has been one of the most impactful people in my life. A lot of my motivation has come from her, from being with her and knowing her.”
Dev has been in a relationship with his Hotel Mumbai co-star, Australian actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey, since 2018 – and they are a notoriously private couple.
Looking ahead
Dev has a few projects in the pipeline that promise to captivate audiences anew. Compelling roles in the upcoming and highly anticipated films – Wicker , a ‘twisted romance’, and cabin-in-the-woods psychological horror Rabbit Trap – underscore his commitment to narratives that challenge conventions.
He has also stepped behind the cameras to co-write, produce and direct action-thriller Monkey Man (co-starring SA-born actor Sharlto Copley), coming soon to Netflix and described as ‘John Wick in Mumbai’. In the midst of the glamour and accolades, Dev Patel has remained grounded, a quality that resonates with fans who see in him not just a talented actor but a relatable figure navigating the complexities of life.
Dev beyond the lens
- He speaks Gujarati fluently and with ease.
- His parents grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, and met in the UK.
- He took his first steps to fame at Longfield Primary School in Rayners Lane, London.
- He is a passionate Arsenal FC fan.
- He loves playing chess.
- He has a first dan black belt in taekwondo.
Fast facts
Full Name: Dev Patel
DOB: 23 April 1990
Hometown: Harrow, London, England
Lives in: Adelaide, Australia
Words by: Koketso Mashika
Photography: Gallo/ Getty Images , Alamy
