Patel credits his mom with getting him into acting, telling The Guardian, "The reason I'm in the industry is because of her. She saw an advert for the Skins audition in Metro, tore it out and dragged me along to the National Youth Theatre in London." He got the part, playing Anwar, a teen who loses his virginity. This very episode is actually where Patel had his first kiss, which was admittedly awkward (via Bright Lights Film Journal).
Meanwhile, the star would go on to steal hearts with his role in Slumdog Millionaire, which is where he met his girlfriend of six years, Freida Pinto. The couple stayed together from 2008 until 2014, with the actress saying about their post-split relationship, "You can't share such a monumental shift in life, then not be friends" (via In Style).
About rumors their long love affair was simply a publicity stunt, Patel has said, "That would be a really long game for a horny 17-year-old to play. There's not even any point in me trying to clarify or justify it, because then you give those silly headlines power. And they mean nothing. I never read gossip because it doesn't matter to me" (via Bustle).
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