Dev Patel: Indian filmmakers have to work like Aamir Khan where you push boundaries

The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actor, Dev Patel has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor Category at the Oscars for his film ‘Lion’ and is super elated to be a part of the most prestigious award function.

The actor plays the role of Saroo Brierley, who tries to find his family after being separated. Being just 26, Dev thinks this is a huge honour for him. In a recent interview, Dev revealed how perceptions were changing towards Bollywood films, but still a lot more effort was needed to change the thinking of people that Bollywood films are only about songs and dance. He said, “Now you can go to IMDB and see Aamir Khan’s latest film in the top 10 list amongst massive Hollywood films, and that’s truly incredible. It speaks a lot about the creativity we have, and people are willing to go out there and support such films and actors too. You have to work like Aamir where you push the boundaries. He completely changed his body for the film and I really respect things like that.”

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When asked if he felt a sense of responsibility to represent Indian culture in the West, he said, “One hundred percent. And with my films I am introducing them to the country my ancestors are from. I didn’t change my name as I am proud of it. I am lucky that people embraced my name after Slumdog Millionaire. Some people hide their name to hide their heritage so that they can get more work. We are a stage now in 2017 where this pattern is changing. You have Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra doing films here and that is a beautiful space to be in.”

‘Lion’ also has Indian actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priyanka Bose and Tannishtha Chatterjee.