Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 2, 2015)

In India, briefly for a Hollywood film shoot with Nicole Kidman, British actor of Indian descent, Dev Patel, best known for his work in Slumdog Millionaire sportingly answered our questions in his thick English accent.

Seven years have passed since Slumdog Millionaire. You were only 17 then. A lot must have changed?
I think I am just growing up. The more jobs you do, the more experience you get. You come in contact with more and more great actors and directors. The work I am doing... from The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to this American TV show Newsroom, Chappie all are incredibly different. It makes you more confident and refined on camera as well.

How was it working with Hugh Jackman in Chappie?
Incredible, he is so charismatic. He's a star in every way. Every woman fell in love with him on set. He's spontaneous, full of energy and has a brilliant sense of humour. We have a good chemistry in the film. It was a dream working with him. He got out the teenage boy in me.

You play a robotics expert in that film. Are you a nerd in real life as well?
I am pretty bad when it comes to technology. I refuse to have an iPhone, I have an old touch screen phone. It's a conscious choice because I like keeping things simple. Everyone is constantly on phone these days. It's really a shame because you get disconnected from actually being face to face with humans. Even with my friends, I hate texting. I love talking. That's the kind of person I am. I am not on social media, instant chat messenger either.

You are in India for a shoot. What is that one quality you like the most about the country?
Absolute optimism is what I adore. The nation is developing so fast. Triumph and determination of people here is so intimidating. I love it here, I never felt more alive.

As a British actor, how difficult is it to speak in Indian accent?
India is so diverse, lot of people have qualms with my accent in Marigold. My argument is, it's not based on a person but is a comedic creation. I play India's acclaimed mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan next and that requires a different accent as it's a different persona altogether. You try and discover.

Speaking of Bollywood, you are not too comfortable with dancing?
I absolutely hate dancing. I am very conscious about my gangly limbs, think it's a great obstacle.

Your physical transformation - from being a lanky teenager to a bearded, rugged guy has been much appreciated by women.
I don't know. I stay away from reading stuff about myself. Confidence is a very fragile thing. I am just being me. It's a funny thing when people react differently, when you transform yourself from role to role. I guess I am maturing.

You spoke very fondly of (ex girlfriend) Freida Pinto recently
Sorry, no personal questions.

Are you single?
Ha ha, am I single? I can't answer that right now.

The cricket World Cup is on. Are you following it?
I follow tennis and Roger Federer. Apart from that, I can't sit down and watch a lot of sports. I am more of a part taker than a witness.