My few moments with the infinity man Dev Patel
By Manju Mittal
Oscar winning film “The Slumdog Millionaire” kid Dev Patel doesn’t need any introduction. He is well known in India and abroad having acted now in numerous films such as ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, ‘The Last Airbender’. He was 17 when ;Slumdog Millionaire; happened seven years ago and won eight Oscars. Dev is now 25 and has shared the screen with the likes of Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Richard Gere, Maggie Smith and Jeremy Irons. Dev belongs to a traditional Gujarati Hindu family. He was born and raised in London and started his acting career when he auditioned for the E4 teen drama TV Series “Skins”. Dev went on to win several awards for his performances in a short span of these last seven years.
Dev Patel plays Srinivasa Ramanujan in the true story of a young Indian mathematician who came to England during World War I and changed mathematics forever. “The Man Who Knew Infinity” directed by Mathew Brown, starring Jeremy Irons as G.H Hardy, Dev Patel as Srinivasa Ramanujan and Devika Bhise plays Janki as Dev’s wife. The film was premiered at the Zurich and Toronto International Film Festival this year.
21St November 2015, it was a hot afternoon in Goa and Dev is holed up in a five star hotel Taj Vivanta when I duly fetched up 15 minutes early of my interview appointment. After 25 minutes wait I met young actor Dev in a casual outfit looking very little like the Dev Patel I remember. He is taller, broader and bearded who has matured into young fine man. My moments with him felt like infinity when Dev shared some of his film and personal journey”¦
The Festival opened this year with your new film “The Man Who Knew Infinity”, How do you feel?
I feel incredibly honoured and this is a great pride for all of us to bring this film to Indian people.
How was the red carpet opening night experience in Goa? Apparently, the roar that went up to greet you dimmed the response to other actors on the red carpet with you?
The red carpet in Goa was unforgettable moment for me. It was the most exhilarating evening. Yes there was a large loud fan club at the venue. I just treasured the passionate response by the well wishers from Hindi film lovers. I really enjoyed myself inside the theatre and felt audience were really very much into the film.
You play a mathematician in “The Man Who Knew Infinity”. Was Maths your favourite subject in school?
I was worst at mathematics. My performance in the subject became an embarrassment since my father was an accountant. I was quiet embarrassed but hey I am playing the role of the greatest mathematician Srinivas Ramanujan so yes, there was a lot of acting involved.
How did you transform into Ramanujan and what you think you have in common with the Ramanujan character?
There are pictures that say a thousands words it’s really interesting because there is no real footage of him. But I look very different from him. When I read scripts like this one I relate to the outsider quality, I like the essence, the struggle of the man but apart from that he was a genius and I am not.
”˜Jamal’ was the hero of Oscar winning film “Slumdog Millionaire” movie. It has been a big & unexpected success in India and abroad, what a great achievement. Share your experience.
The movie allowed me to play character I really believe in and gave me the opportunity to show what I was capable of and that has opened so many doors for me and changed my life in a way that I am forever grateful. The film has been a great start and I feel blessed.
You incorporate the presence of social media. What is your stance on new communication technology?
(Laughs) I am pretty bad when it comes to technology. Social media is very alien to me. I don’t have facebook or twitter account. The internet has obviously transformed people’s vision of the world and their relationship to it.
Tell us about your upcoming projects?
I am working on film “Lion” I am really excited about this film. I am playing Nicole Kidman’s adopted son in this film. Lion is probably the best script I read so to be a part of it is outstanding.
Who inspires you in Bollywood?
Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan, I am a big Shahrukh Khan’s fan and love watching his films.
Apart from all that at Film Festival are you enjoying Goa?
Yes,I am enjoying Goa, the food, body surfing and “I will be shopping for my mom, she is the special one”.
As we wrapped up the interview Dev posed graciously for a selfie. I was very curious about this new young actor after meeting him in person my curiosity is surely satisfied. ”˜The Man Who Knew Infinity’ will travel to Singapore International Film Festival and then Dubai Film Festival. It will be released in theatres in May 2016.
See Review: http://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/the-man-who-knew-infinity-review-1201603351/
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