Dev Patel has joked that he might start wearing an "afro" so he isn't recognised in public.

The 21-year-old actor shot to worldwide fame after appearing in 2008's Slumdog Millionaire.

Although the film was released several years ago, Dev is still getting used to being spotted by fans.

"No disguises, I've tried it, it doesn't work. Glasses, cap - doesn't work. I think I might go out in an afro soon," he laughed to Cover Media.

Slumdog Millionaire was shot in India and Dev has returned to India for his latest release, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The new movie is about a group of ageing British people who decide to change their lives by travelling to India, where they all stay in the same establishment.

Dame Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith are among the stars in the film and Dev felt embarrassed whenever he ate out with his cast mates.

While his co-stars would go undisturbed, Dev's role in Slumdog Millionaire means he wasn't afforded the same luxury.

"It's weird because we'd go to dinner with Judi and everyone and there no one would bat an eyelid while in London these guys are royalty. And then you go out to India and everyone is around me going, Dev!' and it's so embarrassing. You're thinking, Please just go away!' But Slumdog was so big out there, they're very proud," he explained.

The star hopes The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has the same kind of impact.

"I hope [India] embraces it, I really do but you never quite know. I mean there was quite an adverse reaction to Slumdog with the poverty shown," he mused.

"This paints a fluffier picture, it's not as intense and deep. And it deals with a culture nourishing outsiders so they should be proud."

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out in the UK on February 24.