Rumors are flying that the onscreen chemistry between Dev Patel and Freida Pinto has blossomed into a real-life romance. But, after speaking with “Slumdog Millionaire” producer Christian Colson and director Danny Boyle backstage at the Oscars, MTV confirmed that the Best Picture winners aren’t imitating art with their lives.
“Unless they are lying to me, it's not true,” Colson said candidly. “I know it’s not true.”
Gossip started to spiral out of control after 24-year-old ex-model Pinto reportedly dumped her longtime fiancé, Rohan Antao, last month. Just before they won Best Picture, Dev and Freida’s “Slumdog” co-star Anil Kapoor told Ryan Seacrest he was convinced the actors were an item.
“They definitely make a great pair,” Kapoor told Seacrest. “Both of them look very good together.”
The actors, who play childhood sweethearts in the Oscar-juggernaut, have dismissed any allegations of romance as pure fiction, claiming they are nothing more than good friends.
Rumors aside, Colson and director Danny Boyle had nothing but praise for the two fast-rising stars.
“Dev and Freida have been extraordinary; this is the first film for both of them, and they have shouldered the responsibility of fronting the film,” gushed Boyle. “It takes the weight off us enormously.”
Colson is proud of the two stars for handling their newfound celebrity with grace.
“They have grown up in front of our eyes in the last 7 or 8 months, and it's been extraordinary for us to watch that happen. And [it’s impressive] to see them now be able to stand in front of rooms like this with such poise and grace and maturity,” added Colson.
After being joined at the hip for the past several months promoting the award-winning film, the two stars will soon go their separate ways. Dev has been cast in the new M. Night Shyamalan film, “The Last Airbender,” and Freida will star opposite Naomi Watts and Anthony Hopkins in Woody Allen’s next project.
When art imitates life and the leads fall for each other (“Once,” “The Notebook,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”) does that make it easier for you to enjoy a film’s romance? Or harder?
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