The success of Slumdog Millionaire at the Oscars had Dev Patel's relatives in Gujarat cheering all the way. Patel plays the male lead in the movie that ran off with eight Oscars in Los Angeles on Sunday.  “The entire family is very proud of Dev's performance in the film. We were praying for Slumdog's success,” said Dipen Bhuva, Patel's uncle who lives in Jamnagar. “The ceremony in Los Angeles had us thanking God every time the film received an Oscar.” He said they had watched the entire ceremony on TV.

Patel's relatives have every right to be proud of him. Early in February, the celebrated Hollywood director, M Night Shyamalan, announced that he would be casting Patel in his next film, The Last Airbender. Bhuva is the cousin of Dev's father. He said Dev had visited Gujarat just twice, which is why he hadn't been able to visit different places in the state. He further said that his nephew had no immediate plan to visit the state as he would be busy shooting for Shyamalan's film. “Dev is very down-to-earth and is not given to boasting about his achievements,” Bhuva said.

Misbah Nayeem Quadri/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication