TORONTO -- Actor Dev Patel has felt this sort of buzzy sensation before at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It was eight years ago when his cinematic debut in "Slumdog Millionaire," the story of a underdog teenager from Mumbai, became the talk of the fest. The film rose above hundreds of others to grab the people's choice award -- and eventually a best picture win at the Oscars.
"I keep saying I walked up here, with 'Slumdog,' in my school shoes and a borrowed suit," he told a press conference on Sunday as he remembered his 18-year-old self.
"It's so nice to be back here with a bit of facial hair."
Patel, now 26, is experiencing a similar burst of praise for his latest film "Lion," the story of how Google Earth helped a man reunite with his long lost family.
Since its first public screening on Saturday night, the tearjerker -- which co-stars Nicole Kidman -- has become one of the big surprises of this year's festival. Some critics have suggested Patel and Kidman's performances could give them a chance at Oscar nominations.
Like "Slumdog" before it, the film begins in an impoverished Indian neighbourhood, but that's where the similarities end, as far as Patel is concerned.
"Thematically and tonally, the films are completely different," he says. "'Slumdog' had a kind of frenetic energy about it and pacing. This film is a sweeping story."
It's based on the true story of Saroo Brierley, who was separated from his brother at a busy train station when he was five years old.
Lost and confused, the boy lived on the streets as he desperately searched for his hometown. Eventually, he was adopted and raised by an Australian couple.
That's where Patel comes into the film, as the adult Saroo, who after 25 years begins the search for his birth family with the help of Google's mapping technology.
"It's about discovering his roots and finding home," Patel says.
Kidman, who herself has an adopted son and daughter, plays the real-life character of Sue Brierley, who took in Saroo.
"For me this is a film about the power of mothers, whichever form they come in," she said.
"As I said to the real Saroo, I said: 'You have two mothers. Lucky boy.' When you have good love like that, you really flourish."
