Top dog Patel

If Dev Patel's life were to be reduced to a game show question about its defining moment, the only correct answer would be Slumdog Millionaire.

Danny Boyle's acclaimed rags-to-riches tale — woven around the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? — has not only lifted the lanky television actor from relative obscurity, but has made him Hollywood's hottest newcomer.

Unlike his character in the award-winning squalor saga, Patel, 18, may not have found the girl of his dreams or become a millionaire. But his instant global fame and burgeoning trophy cabinet are no less impressive.

When tabloid! tracked him down in Mumbai to speak about his sensational debut, the exuberant Patel had written off his newfound fame as one of the biggest flukes in Hollywood history.

"I still cannot believe it is all happening to me. There are times when I have to pinch myself. Oh man, I mean, I am just an 18-year-old from Harrow. It's all happening so fast — wow," says Patel, pausing to catch a breath.

In all fairness, most young actors would also be in a tizzy if they were to be pitted against Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt — who Patel is up against in the best supporting actor category at next month's Baftas.

"It's such a privilege to be nominated against an actor like Brad Pitt. I have grown up watching his movies and he is… Brad Pitt, man.

"I don't stand a chance against that guy, no way. He eats people like me for breakfast. I can't even begin to comprehend all this," says Patel.

Endearing

With the same blend of diffidence and humility that made his on-screen character Jamal Malik so endearing, Patel is even more unassuming when asked about his chances at experiencing Oscar glory.

"I don't stand a chance at the Oscars. We are talking about seasoned actors like Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. I have always admired them. And Mickey Rourke is simply awesome in The Wrestler. Even to think about it [the Oscars] is scary," says Patel. Though the prospect of running in the Oscar race may send shivers down his spine, the thought of meeting his matinee idols puts him on a more relaxed mode.

"The two stars that I would love to meet are Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio. I hope I can actually chat with them about the way they planned their career and what their influences were. That would be fun."

Though the Slumdog hero is not very hopeful of winning the Oscars bet, he is slightly more confident about his date for the big night. Patel, who played the role of a gawky and lusty goofball in the British teen drama Skins, will in all probability stroll down the red carpet with his mother, Anita.

"I don't have a girlfriend yet and even today I am a complete mamma's boy," says Patel. "I don't think it's going to change anytime soon."

Apart from worshipping his mother, Patel's still got plenty of admiration for his director, Boyle.

"I did it all for Danny. Whenever I faced the camera, the thought of whether he would be impressed with the shot or not kept me going. In fact, it's not the awards that matter, in my eyes it was his approval."

It's evident that Patel is now basking in the glory of getting nods from Boyle, among many others.

"I am living in the moment and I am enjoying every bit of it."

Did you Know?

Dev Patel's high point at the recent Golden Globes: Meeting Clint Eastwood and being congratulated by Shah Rukh Khan. "Mr Khan said I had done a pretty good job. I hope he meant it."

Patel's foot-in-mouth moment: "Meeting Anne Hathaway was really good fun. But calling her 'Mrs' was a mistake. I wish the cameras had not caught that bit on television."

Patel's matter of fact:

"Freida and I are not soulmates." Rumour and many news reports had it that Patel thought of Freida Pinto, his love interest in the movie, as his soul mate. But Patel clears the air: "I said Freida is my best mate and the reporter made it soulmate." Incidentally, his idea of the perfect girlfriend is a combination of magnetic personality and wit.

Patel on the slum-chic/poverty- porn criticism:

[Some critics have panned Slumdog for its graphic depiction of the slums in the third world]. "It's a movie about a boy from the slums. So it's only natural that the backdrop are the slums. And if people are in the mood for Bollywood dance and song, there are many movies to choose from. But Slumdog is not one of them."