Dev Patel harbors no ill will towards his doppelgängers – he actually believes they might be even more suited to embody Dev Patel than he himself is. When quizzed about the Dev Patel look-alike contest that unfolded last month in Dolores Park, San Francisco, during the Red Sea Film Festival, Patel revealed to Variety that he had "caught wind of the entire affair" and was "astounded that over five individuals decided to participate."
"I was utterly bowled over by the response and deeply touched," shared the Oscar-nominated actor of 'Lion.' "I must also confess that many of the contestants outshone me in terms of good looks and suitability. I'm convinced I'd have been defeated in my very own look-alike competition."
Patel expressed his hope that "I serve merely as the catalyst for such events to spring up for a myriad of remarkable actors across diverse races and genders." He added that it was "heartening to witness a community rallying together in such a manner, and if there's ever an opportunity for me to bring a smile and joy to people's lives, then that's truly wonderful. It's all for the best."
In the year 2021, Patel embarked on a new venture by founding his very own production house, Minor Realm, and eloquently captured its essence by expressing his aspiration for the company to "venture into and cultivate the vibrant realm of underappreciated voices and talents, breathing life into these narratives on a grander scale." The honored recipient of the November 10th doppelgänger contest was Jaipreet Hundal, a 25-year-old resident of the Bay Area, who was blessed with an unexpected genetic resemblance. As a token of appreciation for this chance genetic gift, Hundal was gifted $50, a bouquet of flowers, and a miniature monkey figurine, a tribute to Patel's recent directorial debut in the feature film, Monkey Man.
Patel's meteoric rise to fame began at the tender age of 18, when he was cast as Jamal Malik in Danny Boyle's 2008 Oscar-winning masterpiece, Slumdog Millionaire. This role catapulted him from obscurity to Oscar glory, bagging eight Academy Awards for the film. The London-hailed actor has consistently showcased his versatility in independent and groundbreaking cinema, earning accolades for his roles in Garth Davis' 2016 emotional drama Lion, which also starred Nicole Kidman; Wes Anderson's short film, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar; and David Lowery's thought-provoking The Green Knight.
Patel's streak in diverse genres will soon continue with Rabbit Trap, a haunting, isolated auditory nightmare directed by Bryn Chainey and produced by Elijah Wood.
