By: Rithika Siddhartha
BRITISH Asian actor Dev Patel has spoken about his work with vulnerable children in India as he reflected on his hit film Lion and said success is a force for good.
Patel was speaking in Dubai earlier this week when he was recognised for his #LionHeart campaign, following his 2016 movie. Lion was based on a real-life story of an Indian boy who gets lost and is adopted by an Australian couple. Years later, he traced his biological family, used technology.
Patel played Saroo Brierley in the film, which also starred Nicole Kidman and Sunny Parwar as a young Brierley.
It is estimated that each year 80,000 children go missing in India, and some 11 million live on the streets.
The #Lionheart campaign supports three India base charities – Magic Bus; Childline India and Railway Children India – which work with under privileged children in India and around the world.
Patel said: “I am grateful for my life and the success I have enjoyed.
“I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to sleep; when I’m going to eat or how I’m going to protect myself. I have the freedom to make my own choices and choose my path in life.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case for millions of children in India and around the world.
“I want to help others by telling culturally diverse stories that educate and shed light on the human condition. True success means using your own to help others who don’t have a voice or the freedom we take for granted.”
He was a guest of honour at the Chivas Icons event on Tuesday (2) in Dubai. Their “Win The Right Way” global campaign aims to encourage people to strive for professional success and do so in a manner that improves the lives of those around them.
