Friday, 16 January 2009

Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel takes on Brad Pitt for BAFTA

Newcomer up against Hollywood icon

Dev Patel | Dev Patel does it again | Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Gossip

Slumdog Millionaire was Dev Patel's first film role

Dev Patel has been nominated alongside Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt for a BAFTA award.

The actor, 18, is recognised in the Best Leading Male category for Slumdog Millionaire.

Brad has been given a nod for his role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Dev, who previously starred in E4 teen drama Skins, is also up against Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke and Frank Langella.

'I was considered the joker on Skins,' Dev tells The Daily Mail. 'I didn't take what I was doing very seriously.

'But then I met Danny [Boyle] on Slumdog. He sharpened me up and I found a passion for acting.'

The BAFTA's take place on 22 February.

SEE NOMINATIONS All the stars up for a BAFTA>>>