Bollywood movie Slumdog Millionaire, the rags-to-riches tale set in Mumbai, topped its Hollywood success today with Oscar recognition.
The story centres around orphan Jamal Malik, played by Dev Patel, a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Directed by Danny Boyle, the film has already won a clutch of Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards and was a high-profile Bafta nominee, receiving 11 nods.
After playing an awkward teenager in Skins, Patel is now taking on the Hollywood heavyweights.
Before Slumdog Millionaire's success, Patel's acting experience was as sex-obsessed Anwar in teen drama Skins, while finishing off his AS-levels.
Despite being a rising Hollywood star, the teenager, from Harrow, west London, has said his mother still nags him to make his bed.
As a pupil at Whitmore High School, he earned full marks and an A* in his GCSE exam for his self-penned portrayal of a child in the Beslan school siege.
His drama teacher, Niamh Wright, previously said he was an impressive actor from an early age.
"Dev was a gifted student who quickly impressed me with his innate ability to communicate a wide variety of characters imaginatively and creatively," she said.
"He was awarded full marks for his GCSE performance to a live audience and the visiting examiner was moved to tears by his honest portrayal of a child in the Beslan school hostage crisis in Russia."
Patel picked up the best young actor/actress title at the glamorous Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California.
"My mum is still nagging me to make my bed," the 18-year-old told the Evening Standard previously.
"My sister and I annoy each other. That's what keeps me grounded.
"It's just when I go to work I'm treated as an adult."
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