Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, who has been doing press for his role as Zuko in The Last Airbender, recently spoke out about Hollywood's institutional racism, saying that "Asian actors are limited to roles as terrorists, taxi drivers or geeks": Dev Patel: It's not easy being an Asian actor. Tell us something we don't know, Dev.
"Because ‘Slumdog’ was such a big hit there was a lot of pressure in terms of what I did next,” Patel said. "For my second film I wanted a role that would stretch me, but all I was getting offered were stereotypical parts like the goofy Indian sidekick.”It's kind of funny, because the Hollywood movie he's currently starring in arguably denied several Asian actors of some pretty substantial roles. But he is hopeful: "Hopefully the industry is changing and the casting directors will be less focused on colour so that people like myself can get through the door."
The actor, who still lives with his parents in suburban London and can be found riding public transit, has been holding out for roles that will highlight his versatility, even though in Hollywood those parts seem to come few and far between for Asian actors, he said.
"Asian actors tend not to be sent Hollywood scripts that are substantial or challenging,” Patel told the paper. "I'm likely to be offered the roles of a terrorist, cab driver and smart geek.” Not that he would mind playing a terrorist, he added, as long as "the part gave me something to sink my teeth into.”
He's not saying anything particularly mind-blowing -- any Asian person who's been working in Hollywood knows the score. I guess it's just good to hear it coming from someone who starred in an Oscar-winning movie, to people who are listening. More here: 'Being an Asian actor, it's never going to be easy': Dev Patel goes to Hollywood