Dev Patel relied on Freida Pinto for accent advice

Dev Patel turned to his future girlfriend Freida Pinto for advice on how to perfect his Indian accent in Slumdog Millionaire.

The pair met while working on the Oscar-winning film, and bonded as Mumbai-born beauty Pinto helped coach the Brit with his Indian twang - advising him to avoid impersonating actors on U.K. comedy show Goodness Gracious Me.

Pinto tells Britain's InStyle magazine, "With the accent, he was a bit nervous. But all I told him was, 'Don't do the whole Goodness Gracious Me thing.' That just makes it very comical and it's not required for Slumdog Millionaire."

But Pinto wants her boyfriend to return the favour - by teaching her how to be funny on screen.

She adds, "I always tell him that he's got to teach me. His comic timing is like no other. He's got it, it's just effortless."