Exclusive Interview with Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire

I started conversing with Dev a month or so ago about his phenomenal success with his film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle. The trick here was to put a “marketing” spin on this and at the end of the day, Dev Patel has become a stand alone Brand and it was my desire to find out how he wanted to leverage his success to enhance the lives of others who may want to pursue the same career goals. What follows is some of the main questions and answers that came up during our conversation. I really appreciate Dev taking the time to answer each and everyone of my questions quite patiently.

Ricky: The film being such a smash hit – everyone in the states (desi and non-desi) are interested to find out how you got your start in the biz?

Dev: I’d done this show in London called “Skins” and I was a big character in that. And Danny was having trouble casting the lead guy out in India because all the guys are really butch. They need to be able to take there tops off and get under waterfalls, and obviously that’s not me…I try. Yeah so he came back to London a bit deflated like, uh oh my films not gonna go through. And his daughter was watching TV, and my big gobs on screen and she’s like why don’t you give this guy a go? So I got myself on tape, I got a call from the casting director, cause I didn’t have an agent at the time cause I was really new to it all. And she goes Danny likes you and your going to have a meeting with him. I remember sitting in the spotlight and I hadn’t done many auditions before, so I bring my mom with me cause she’s my lucky charm. And there’s all these good looking dudes with designer stubble ‘n stuff, and I was sitting there with my mom, and was like “oh shit man, this ain’t gonna be good.” Then Danny opens the door and says “Dev your next,” and I was like “uhhhh,” .And it all started.

Ricky: It is so hard to follow up a blockbuster hit, what other projects are you currently working on both professionally as well as community service activities?

Dev: “The Last Airbender”, this film by MNS is from the cartoon Avatar. I am playing the character of ZUKO,a film to wait and watch. Release in July 2010.

Ricky: How does Dev Patel take time off? What are some of your hobbies? What do you do to get away from it all?

Dev: I’m into Yoga, Martial Arts, go to all theatres for plays and watch Football.

Ricky: How was it acting with such great co-stars as Anil Kapoor and Irfan Khan?

Dev: I grew up around Bollywood films and stuff. I didn’t understand Hindi, but I used to watch all the films, they were really animated. And those big fight sequences I used to get into it, into the gist of it, then Anil came to me one day, I was late for the rehearsal and he walks into the hotel and says “hi I’m Anil,” and he has this hat, this camouflage on so no one would see him and I was like “woww!” It was funny, it was me and him, me in a room, a 17-year-old, [who] should be in school in Mumbai, with Anil Kapoor to my right, and Danny Boyle to my left. With big actors like Irfan, Anil,these guys never bloody learned their lines, so they were like (catches himself) — hell I shouldn’t be saying this — but I mean they wouldn’t, and that’s the awesome thing! Especially with Irfan and Sahrub, there’s loads of stuff that has been cut out which is great cause they got this funny comedy duo thing. And even when I was getting beaten the shit out of by this guy — he’s got torpedo hands. The thing is they were fresh all the time, where as if your just saying lines, your saying lines. But these guys wouldn’t learn it and get the gist of what were saying, and maybe say this word in Hindi, or give me a clip around the ear, and it’d just be wicked, it was really creative. Anil Kapoor’s done 300-400 films.

Ricky: It was evident to me that some of the “big shot” Indians did not respond to the movie in a positive manner, rather a few of them down played the movie, what are your thoughts on that?

Dev: I am not likely to be a part. Best Wishes to all of them I move as a normal human and try to keep my studies on pace as I’m studying Theatre and performing Arts, gives me the leverage to do lot towards the same.

Ricky: Being an ad agency, we are all about the message. The Dev Patel name is now fast becoming a Brand – what message do you wish it to convey?

Dev: Sports should be a priority for each and every Youngsters, this gives the boost in all sphere, Acting needs all total discipline which has come from sports, My Yoga Guru is from India who introduced to yoga in depth, Swan Yoga’s Dr.Vikramaditya Narayan he guides the discipline in me these days. Yoga should be the culture for today and tomorrow in the right path.

Ricky: It is rather early in your career – but have you thought about what you want your legacy to be? How do you wish to be remembered long after we are all gone?

Dev: Once an Actor ever an Actor, will keep on doing films that my job rest is on the Audience what an actor gets is always there appreciation.Accolades and other things follow them, I am indebted to my Fans, and supporting an actor also all Indian audience to have liked me and accepted.

Ricky: What American actor or actress would you most like to work on a project with and why?

Dev: Would wait and watch, but would like to do a movie with Al Pachino and Eva Mendes.

Ricky: What advice do you have for others who wish to pursue this career? Is it worth all the effort?

Dev: To give your best, almighty has bestowed everything and one should not be over giving.

Ricky: Finally, I am sure you get asked this in every interview, are you and Frieda Pinto dating?

Dev: She is been a costar, and a great human being, we remain friends.

Thank you, very much.

Dev Patel