'Slumdog' paints an India positive picture: Dev Patel

Slumdog Millionaire star Gujarat-origin actor Dev Patel has said that the aim of portraying the dire poverty of India in his Oscar-winning movie was not to show the country in poor light. Instead, the intertwining theme of the Hollywood movie was optimism and to leave people thinking over what can potentially spring out of seemingly such a hopeless situation.

The 20-year-old actor, who is on a private visit to Junagadh with his mother Anita Patel, told media persons at a hotel in the town on Monday that he was dismayed when he went to Dharavi slum for the shooting of the film. “My first impression was, how depressed the residents of the locality are! There was nothing but hardships and inconvenience there. However, I was amazed by their unity and cheerfulness in the hell of adversity,” the winner of 2009 Academy award actor said.

“There is a vast pool of talent in India and the West is acknowledging it now,” stated Dev, who had played lead in the historic movie. 

The actor said that he has come to India with the hope that he will be able to help people here.  Later in the day, Dev and his mother visited Gir sanctuary and watched lions. He also visited historic places like Narsinh Mehta’s Choro (residence), Uparkot, and Darbar Museum.

Dev and Anita have been invited for the visit by Junagadh-based Dr DP Chikhalia who is a friend of Dev’s father.