'I get flak sometimes': 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Dev Patel talks about facing criticism for taking away roles from Indian actors

British-Indian actor Dev Patel who has been kwn for his critically acclaimed performance in 'Slumdog Millionaire' recently opened up about flak he faces for being an n-resident Indian. In a recent interview, he said that he is often criticized for taking away  roles from 'real' Indian actors.  28-year-old actor, who was born in London to parents from Gujarat, India, said he is trying to understand himself better by connecting to his herit.

“I get flak sometimes because people will say, ‘Why aren’t y giving se roles to a real Indian?’ I wonder, What does that even mean? only way I can converse with my grandparents is in Gujarati. Does that make me real eugh? Or am I only allowed to witness moments of prejudice and racism going through airports? Is that only bit that I’m allowed of culture?" PTI quoted him as saying.

“ truth is I’m trying to understand myself better and my herit, to figure things out, in movie choices I make. That’s been greatest thing for me in going to India repeatedly,” Patel furr stated.

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As per media reports, previously, Dev had confessed that he 'reconnected' with his Indian roots while he was shooting for Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire' in 2008. However, in 2016, he reportedly opened up about how he could never really fit in as locals “could smell foreigner on me”.

Meanwhile, on work front, ' Lion' fame is w gearing up for release of his film 'Hotel Mumbai', which is based on Mumbai terror attacks that took place on vember 26, 2008. Rar than focusing on all different attacks, this mainly covers isolated incident when terrorists laid siege to Taj Mahal hotel near Gateway of India. makers have taken up a unique perspective as it narrates incident from point of view of  hotel attendants of Taj. 

film which also stars veteran actor Anupam Kher features Dev as a simple Sikh man who works as a staff member at hotel, whereas Kher plays role of a chef, who takes charge of situation as crisis takes place. It also features Armie Hammer as one of foreign guests who was staying re at time.

READ:  First Trailer Of 'Hotel Mumbai' Showcases 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack From A New Lens

Indian-American-Australian thriller film is directed by Anthony Maras and written by John Collee and Maras. It is based on 2009 documentary 'Surviving Mumbai'.  film premiered at  Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2018, and is scheduled for a atrical release on March 29, 2019, by Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures. 

Watch trailer here:

 (With inputs from PTI)