Dev appears at his very best.
In the effervescent realm of cinema, Dev Patel stands as one of the most enigmatic and talented actors of his time.
His ability to disappear into the skin of his characters is utterly unique and his performances leave an indelible imprint on viewers.
Since his debut in the late 2000s, Dev has enchanted and thrilled the audience with his diverse array of work.
He is an asset not only to the films he does but also to the South Asian audience.
These include Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, and Sri Lankan viewers.
DESIblitz takes you on a cinematic odyssey through the excellent career of Dev Patel, showcasing 10 of his best films.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan
Kicking off our list is where it all began for Dev Patel.
In Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Dev plays Jamaal Malik who spent his childhood in the slums of Mumbai.
Now a call centre assistant, Jamaal appears on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, hoping to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart Latika (Freida Pinto).
Despite having little education, Jamaal surprisingly does well on the show, reaching the penultimate question.
However, just as he answers this correctly, he is accused of cheating and is detained by the police.
While in custody, Jamaal recounts how he knew the answers as every question had some connection to his life.
Based on Vikas Swarup’s novel Q&A, this film is a feel-good movie which continues to entertain viewers.
Dev’s performance is relatable and sincere and it left the audience in no doubt that this actor was here to stay.
In 2009, Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars, including ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Director’ for Danny.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Director: John Madden
Stars: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Dev Patel, Maggie Smith
In John Madden’s enthralling multi-starrer, Dev plays Sonny Kapoor, manager of a lavish hotel.
Sonny has a girlfriend named Sunaina (Tina Desai). When Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) sleeps in Sonny’s room, he and Sunaina fall out.
To make matters worse, Sonny’s mother who disapproves of her son’s job, does not like Sunaina.
The widowed housewife Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) encourages Sonny to win Sunaina back.
This leads to an interesting and comedic climax to the story.
Peter Travers, from Rolling Stone, praises the cast of the film and says:
“With a lesser cast, the movie would be a lineup of TV-movie clichés.
“But this is a cast that never makes a false move.”
Despite being among veteran stars including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith, Dev truly holds his own.
For that, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a classic Dev Patel triumph.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)
Director: John Madden
Stars: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Bill Nighy, Richard Gere
Continuing with this heartwarming series, we come to The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The film sees several of the actors from the first movie return for the sequel.
Dev reprises his role as Sonny Kapoor. In this film, Sonny is on a mission to buy and open a second hotel in India from Ty Burley (David Strathairn).
His life becomes riddled with complications including the stress of his wedding to Sunaina and his desire to impress Guy Chambers (Richard Gere).
Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) tries her best to keep Sonny on the straight and narrow.
All decisions reach a climax during the wedding of Sunaina and Sonny.
Similar to its predecessor, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel earned praise mainly for its cast.
Writing for Variety, Peter Debruge comments:
“It’s not so common to find an ensemble of this calibre so enthusiastic to work together, and that chemistry comes across.”
Fans can enjoy a charming extension of the story they enjoyed in 2011.
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
Director: Matthew Brown
Stars: Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Devika Bhise, Toby Jones, Stephen Fry
A biopic of the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, this film is based on the book by Robert Kanigel.
Dev inhabits the world of Ramanujan who lives in poverty but has excellent skills in mathematics.
GH Hardy (Jeremy Irons) invites Ramanujan to the University of Cambridge.
Reluctantly, Ramanujan leaves his beloved wife Janaki (Devika Bhise) and promises to keep in touch regularly.
Once in Cambridge, Ramanujan experiences racial prejudice and other negative aspects of his time in England.
Devastatingly, another twist occurs which throws Ramanujan’s life into disarray.
The Man Who Knew Infinity is a testament to resilience, hard work, and intelligence.
Speaking about his reasons for signing the film, Dev explains:
“The opportunity to do a biopic of someone who is so legendary and iconic and spread his story to the world really appealed to me.
“I thought it would be a great challenge and a transition to show my versatility in my other outings in India.”
The actor certainly rises to the challenge and the result is there for all to see.
Lion (2016)
Director: Garth Davis
Stars: Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Rooney Mara, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham, Deepti Naval
In 1987, a young boy named Saroo Brierley went missing on the formidable railways of Khandwa.
He was adopted by an Australian couple and grew up in Tasmania.
Saroo did not find his way back to India until 2012 when he was reunited with his birth mother amid extensive media coverage.
In 2016, Garth Davis adapted Saroo’s story for the big screen in the form of Lion.
Playing the adult version of Saroo, Dev imbues the character with complexity, emotion, and determination to find his way home.
The film is strengthened by a resolute Nicole Kidman as Saroo’s adoptive mother Sue Brierley and Sunny Pawar, who plays the young version of Saroo.
Lion received rave reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes stating:
“Lion‘s undeniably uplifting story and talented cast make it a moving journey that transcends the typical cliches of its genre.”
For his amazing performance in Lion, Dev Patel was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ at the 2017 Academy Awards.
Hotel Mumbai (2018)
Director: Anthony Maras
Stars: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs
This action thriller sees Dev as Arjun, a waiter for the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
Arjun and his guests soon find themselves trapped in the hotel amid the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Hotel Mumbai depicts Arjun’s life-and-death struggle for freedom and to be reunited with his wife and daughter.
The film shows traces of just how compellingly Dev can portray action.
His nail-biting performance is the jewel that adorns Hotel Mumbai.
Writing for The New York Observer, Rax Reed highlights:
“There isn’t a single wasted frame in this movie, which is both richly detailed and economically direct in its emotional impact – all the more astounding for a first feature film.
“Without exception, everyone is exemplary.
“You leave sated, with the rare feeling of having learned something about history and knowing you’ve been to one hell of a movie.”
Hotel Mumbai thrives on Dev’s fantastic performance which is subtle and sublime in all the right places.
The Wedding Guest (2018)
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Stars: Dev Patel, Radhika Apte, Jim Sarbh
Continuing with the action thrillers of Dev Patel, we arrive at Michael Winterbottom’s The Wedding Guest.
In this film, Dev unites with Indian actors Radhika Apte and Jim Sarbh.
Dev plays Jay, a British man who finds himself in Pakistan. He only speaks English but is smart and resourceful.
He kidnaps a bride named Samira (Radhika). However, it transpires that Jay was hired by Samira’s boyfriend Deepesh (Jim) to rescue her from her arranged marriage.
What follows is a pulse-racing film filled with twists, turns, and chases.
The highlight of the film is the fact that Jay and Samira share an air of distrust between them despite being on the same side.
The Wedding Guest unquestionably emboldens Dev’s versatility and diversity when it comes to portraying characters.
For that, the film is unmissable for all of his fans.
The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
Director: Armando Iannucci
Stars: Dev Patel, Aneurin Barnard, Peter Capaldi, Morfydd Clark, Tilda Swinton
Based on the classic 1850 novel by Charles Dickens, Dev plays the titular character.
Born to a widowed mother, David saves quotes from his life on bits of paper.
When his mother remarries to an abusive man, David finds himself in a London factory, where he lodges with the Micawber family.
When the family are sent to the debtors’ prison, David meets Betsey Trotwood (Tilda Swinton) and falls in love with her accountant’s daughter Agnes Wickfield (Rosalind Eleazar).
This film narrates the saga of David Copperfield with sensitivity and enthusiasm, generating a moving film.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the box office performance of the film, it was critically lauded.
Dev appears at his very best, delivering a nuanced performance.
Mark Kermode, from The Observer, heaps praise on the movie:
“It really is a wonderfully entertaining film, managing to both respect and reinvent the novel from which it takes its lead.”
The Green Knight (2021)
Director: David Lowery
Stars: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson
David Lowery helms this epic medieval film that is adapted from the 14th-century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Dev plays Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur (Sean Harris). His mother performs magic to summon The Green Knight.
Gawain takes up The Green Knight’s challenge to travel to The Green Chapel to receive a blow the following Christmas.
Gawain undertakes a life-changing journey as he befriends a fox, meets mysterious women, and marries a noble.
Integrity, promise, and willpower intertwine to create a historic film in the form of The Green Knight.
Dev shows his acting prowess to the highest degree with the most captivating expression and deep emotion.
Brian Tallerico enthuses: “[It is] one of the most memorable films of the year, a fascinating swirl of masculinity, temptation, and heroism.
“It’s a film that embeds the concept of storytelling and performance into its narrative while also weaving its own enchanting spell on audiences.”
Monkey Man (2024)
Director: Dev Patel
Stars: Dev Patel, Sikander Kher, Sharito Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Adithi Kalkunte
In his directorial debut, Dev Patel scores a blinder.
Dev also stars in the film as Kid – a young man who works in a hotel and participates in illegal boxing matches wearing a monkey mask.
Kid grew up in the care of his loving mother Neela (Adithi Kalkunte) and was significantly inspired by the tales of Hanuman that she used to tell him.
The young man is traumatised by the way his mother was assaulted and burnt alive by a corrupt police officer named Rana Singh (Sikander Kher).
Monkey Man follows Kid’s mission to exact revenge on Rana for his mother’s brutal death.
Untamed action and pent-up anger are the selling points of the film.
Speaking about his passion for the project, Dev says: “I think the action genre has sometimes been abused by the system.
“I wanted to give it real soul, real trauma, real pain, and I wanted to infuse it with a little bit of culture.”
Monkey Man is an adrenaline-pumped ride. Not only does Dev deliver a masterful performance but he also triumphs in direction.
Dev Patel is undoubtedly an excellent actor and a wonderful filmmaker.
He has consistently proven his worth in his field and the audience loves him for it.
Over the years of his career, Dev has entertained in dynamic ways and has seldom disappointed.
Talented, confident, and charismatic, he is a star like no other.
So, grab your snacks and prepare to embrace the legend, Dev Patel.
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