Dev Patel lookalike contest draws crowd to San Francisco's Dolores Park

A Dev Patel lookalike contest attracted a crowd at San Francisco’s Dolores Park on Sunday, where twenty contestants brought the award-winning actor’s signature styles to life, from 'Slumdog Millionaire' to his directorial debut 'Monkey Man'. 

Organized by Sitara Bellam and Tasnim Khandakar, the event began as a casual gathering for friends, but soon went viral, drawing in hundreds of spectators and even offering a $50 prize.

“I did not think it was supposed to be like a picnic day for our friends,” Bellam admitted. “We were not expecting it to get any traction. 

It’s been really cool.” Inspired by a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest in New York City, the idea to celebrate Dev Patel quickly gained traction among fans eager to recognize the actor’s charm and versatility. Bellam recalled joking, “We have the demographic for a Dev Patel one!”

One contestant, Varun, embraced the “Slumdog Millionaire” era look, saying he “hoped to take home another award today.” 

Meanwhile, Ashwin, who traveled from Atlanta, remarked, “I’ve been getting called Dev Patel ever since white people watched 'Slumdog Millionaire'.” 

The contestants captivated onlookers with humor, personality, and heartfelt nods to Patel’s impact.

San Jose resident Jaipreet Hundal took home the prize. “I looked at a little Dev Patel interview going into this, I got myself into the zone, I studied a little bit,” he shared. 

Despite claiming he didn’t find much to emulate, he promised to share his winnings: “Burritos at El Farolito, first come first serve! We’re sharing the wealth. So 50 bucks, that’ll give me four burritos.”

Khandakar shared her admiration for Patel’s appeal, noting how it differs from the typical Hollywood leading men: “Compared to actors like Glen Powell or Ryan Gosling, they all have this hunk factor about them. I think Dev Patel has this really humble aura that just really resonates with so many people.” 

The crowd’s enthusiasm underscored how meaningful it was for attendees, especially Indian Americans, to celebrate Patel’s cultural representation in Hollywood.

Pramil Joshi, a spectator, voiced his hope that Patel himself would make a surprise appearance, mirroring Chalamet’s attendance at his lookalike contest. “I hope the potential is up today,” he said. “I really hope so. That would be fun.” 

The contest concluded with laughs, cheers, and pride in Dev Patel’s legacy as a celebrated South Asian figure in entertainment.