Dev Patel Jokes That His Lookalikes Are 'Much More Attractive' Than He Is
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Los Angeles, Dec 13 (NationPress) Indian-origin British actor-filmmaker Dev Patel humorously stated that he doubted he would emerge victorious in his own lookalike contest because the entrants were "much more attractive" than he is.
The 34-year-old performer, who began his career portraying Anwar Kharral in the teen drama “Skins” back in 2007, expressed that he was "quite overwhelmed and very touched" upon learning about the competition held in San Francisco last month.
He shared with variety.com: “I’m surprised more than five people showed up. I was quite overwhelmed by it and very touched. I also gotta say that I think most of the men who showed up were far more handsome and qualified than I am. I think I would have lost at my own lookalike contest, for sure.”
The “Slumdog Millionaire” star, who has won a British Academy Film Award and received nominations for an Academy Award as well as two Golden Globe Awards, commended the contest as a "really amazing" concept, but was astonished by the "sheer number of people that showed up.”
Organizers initially planned a Robert Pattinson lookalike contest but ultimately opted for Dev to represent their local Indian community, and the 'Monkey Man' star was thrilled to be connected with the event, as reported by femalefirst.co.uk.
He remarked: “Hopefully, I am just the gateway to this happening to all sorts of brilliant actors of different races and genders. It was refreshing to see a community come together like that and, hey, if there is ever a moment where I can be associated with some form of laughter and joy, it’s great. It is all good.”
As per NBC News, the contest winner, 25-year-old Japireet Hundal, took home a $50 cheque, a 'Monkey Man' statue, and some flowers.
In his speech, he expressed: “Shoutout to all the Dev Patel lookalikes. If the real Dev Patel shows up, I don’t know who would win, me or him.”
Sitara Bellam, who co-organized the event with Tasnim Khandakar, mentioned she was "blown away" when hundreds of attendees arrived for the contest, especially since it had been planned "on a whim as a joke" to "centre and celebrate brown/ South Asian men."
She added to NBC News: "I was genuinely blown away by the crowd and the interest in the event."
