Dev Patel wins BAFTA

Talented actor Dev Patel, who received worldwide acclaim in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire nearly a decade ago has won a BAFTA for his role in Lion.

In 2008, he was also nominated for a BAFTA. And after a string of successful films since Slumdog, including The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel, Chappie and The Man who new Infinity, Dev is now firmly established himself as a major box office star.

Dev won BAFTA’s Best Actor category in Lion and is also nominated for an Oscar. The film examines the role of an Indian man who was separated from his family in India as a young child and was adopted by an Australian couple. Wanting to learn about his family heritage, he used Google Earth to find his way back home. The film is based on a true story of Saroo Brierley and stars Hollywood icon Nicole Kidman who is Australian.

After winning his Bafta, Dev again thanked his mum saying: "My mum took me to an open casting of Skins after she saw an advert in Metro newspaper and 10 years on we are here at the Baftas and that is pretty amazing." Dev is of Guarati Hindu origin parents who are of East African origin, born in Nairobi Kenya and settled in the UK.

Even with Slumdog’s success Dev found it hard to get new roles and not be type casted with stereotypical characters. Nevertheless, he has amazingly well with the characters he has played and has helped to provide a positive profile for Asian actors on the world stage.

Lion has received rave received rave reviews with the Hollywood Reporter labelled the film "as enthralling as it is emotional," while Awards Circuit called it a "prestige film through and through."

Acting is not the only skill Dev possesses – he also has Black Belt in Taekwon-do. He had participated in many national and international championships, including the 2004 AIMAA (Action International Martial Arts Association) World Championships in Dublin and won a bronze medal. His acting career took a jump on the E4 teen television drama Skins which led to him being subsequently being discovered for Slumdog’s role.

Dev’s next big wait is for the Oscars at the end of February 2017.

Dev Patel wins BAFTA

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