Dev Patel: A Dev Patel look-alike contest drew a massive crowd to San Francisco’s Dolores Park on Sunday, bringing together dozens of South Asian men to compete for the top prize and win the hearts of enthusiastic spectators.
The event, organized by friends Sitara Bellam, Tasnim Khandakar, and Sahana Rangarajan, exceeded expectations with more than 20 contestants and hundreds of attendees cheering on their favorite look-alikes.
The highlight of the afternoon was 25-year-old Jaipreet Hundal from San Jose, who arrived an hour late but still managed to win the contest. Hundal, whose girlfriend had always told him he resembled Dev Patel, took home $50, a bouquet of flowers, and a small monkey statue inspired by Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man.
Hundal plans to use his prize money to treat friends to burritos at El Farolito. “I didn’t think I’d actually win,” he admitted. “I’m excited to share the burrito love.”
The contest had a festive and humorous atmosphere, with contestants dressed as various Dev Patel characters. One participant from Atlanta joked about being called Dev Patel since the release of Slumdog Millionaire, while another attendee, Sudev from Sacramento, wore a sleek dark suit inspired by Patel’s Monkey Man look.
The event organizers were thrilled by the turnout, especially since they had only expected a small picnic gathering with friends. “We just wanted something fun and silly for the South Asian community,” said Bellam. “It’s amazing to see how much joy it brought.”
The inspiration for the gathering came from the viral Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in New York City, where Chalamet himself made a surprise appearance. Although Dev Patel did not show up, fans expressed hope that he might attend a future event.
Organizer Tasnim Khandakar emphasized the significance of celebrating a South Asian actor who has broken barriers in Hollywood. “Dev Patel isn’t the typical Hollywood hunk,” Khandakar said. “He’s got this humble, down-to-earth charm that resonates with so many people.” The successful event proved that representation and humor could unite a diverse crowd, creating a memorable afternoon in the heart of San Francisco.
