Freida Pinto has finally admitted she is dating Dev Patel.
The 24-year-old actress – who has always denied being romantically involved with her ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ co-star – has confessed the smitten pair are an item, but insists the relationship is in its early stages.
She is quoted by Britain’s The Sun newspaper as saying:

“The friendship blossomed after the film, it got even stronger. This is all new to us. He’s a lovely boy.”

So happy for them!

Although Freida has only just spoken openly about the romance, 19-year-old Dev’s mother Anita recently confirmed the pair were dating.
She said:

"First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place. Life can't get any better for him.
"Freida is really beautiful and I am really happy for them."

The pair grew close when they played childhood sweethearts Jamal and Latika in Danny Boyle's Academy Award-winning film about a young boy's journey from the slums of India to appearing on TV quiz show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'.

In February, their 'Slumdog Millionaire' co-star Anil Kapoor claimed the couple were having a secret relationship. Guess the rumors were true.

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On a show airing Friday, February 20th, “Slumdog Millionaire” stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto stop by “The Tyra Banks Show” to discuss their Oscar nominated film and newfound fame.

Freida, 24, revealed she is a huge “America’s Next Top Model” fan and even has an autographed photograph of Tyra hanging in her bedroom at home in India.

“I was a big, big, big Tyra banks admirer. So I had written an email to you [Tyra], to your website telling you how much I loved what you were doing and I would love to come out here and just get trained by you and then two weeks later I got a signed photograph of Tyra Banks! It was like the little kid who jumps in the cesspool and gets what he wants!”

Dev, the 18-year-old star of “Slumdog Millionaire,” admitted the whole experience has been surreal.

“Not in my wildest dreams. It’s been so surreal. I mean I’m 18 years old...I’ve been watching all these stars on TV… and then I’m actually there shaking Forest Whittaker’s hand, Kate Winslet’s, my first love.

Patel also admitted he was so in awe of Leonardo DiCaprio he shook his hand twice. 
That's the least of what I would do if I ever met Leo. Le Sigh!!!

“I went up to him, ‘Hello Leo’ shook his hand and I was so content with that, I went back again and shook it again.”

Patel also revealed someone tried to sell him a bootleg copy of “Slumdog Millionaire.”

“Someone tried to sell me a pirate copy of my film when I was having my haircut. I was having a haircut and this little lady came in, Slumdog?...I was like, ‘No, I’ve seen it.’”

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
That is hilarious!

To see a video of the actors dancing with Tyra, click on the continue reading link below. 

Continue reading...

Everybody has to start somewhere.  For Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, he got his first role on a British TV drama called Skins, which was about a group of hard-partying adolescents.  Dev was reportedly reluctant to take a part on the show because of the controversial sex and drug storylines and the nude scenes he would have to do.  Who do you think convinced Dev to do it?  His mother, Anita Patel.

[Dev] was apprehensive when he found out he'd have to appear
naked. He said, 'Oh God I am going to have to show my bum!' I told him:
'It's only a bum, you've seen lots of people's bums before.' Now Dev
thanks me for making him go to the audition."

I don't know if it's cultural differences or what, but I cannot imagine a mother telling a teenager to go strip for the cameras!  But if the nudity was necessary for the role, then hey...

It all worked out for Dev, though.  Anita said all the attention her son was receiving was overwhelming.

I can't believe Dev is being compared to Brad Pitt. It's
unreal."

I guess so!  Dev seems so down-to-earth, too; hopefully his family will be able to help him stay grounded.  Congratulations for all your success, Dev!

Photos by Bauer Griffin