Dev Patel was born on April 23, 1990, in Harrow, London. The British actor and filmmaker began his professional career as Anwar Kharral in the television drama Skins. He soon reached an international audience with his film debut as Jamal Malik in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, the acclaimed 2008 drama that transformed him from a young television performer into a globally recognized leading man.
Patel continued building an impressively varied career through projects including The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Newsroom, The Man Who Knew Infinity, Hotel Mumbai, The Personal History of David Copperfield, and The Green Knight. His performance as the adult Saroo Brierley in Lion brought especially significant recognition: he won the BAFTA Award for Supporting Actor and received an Academy Award nomination in the corresponding category.
In 2024, Patel expanded his creative ambitions with Monkey Man, his feature directorial debut. He also starred in, co-wrote, and produced the action thriller, marking a bold new stage in his filmmaking journey. That same year, Time included him among its 100 most influential people. From his memorable breakthrough to his evolution as a filmmaker, Patel has earned an enthusiastic following through thoughtful performances, adventurous choices, and an unmistakable screen presence.