World-famous film star Dev Patel stepped in to intervene in a knife fight and subsequent stabbing in Adelaide city centre, his representatives have claimed.
The English actor was pictured speaking to police on Monday evening after witnessing the altercation on Gouger St.
A man and a woman had been arguing in the street before the fight continued at a convenience store. Mr Patel allegedly tried to intervene to stop the knife fight from escalating, but the man was allegedly stabbed in the chest.
The 32-year-old man is now in hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injury. A 34-year-old woman, who is known to the victim, was charged with grievous bodily harm and refused bail. Police do not believe it was a random attack.
Patel’s representatives told 7News he was with friends when he witnessed the fight in progress in Adelaide city centre.
“Dev acted on his natural instinct to try and de-escalate the situation and break up the fight,” they said in a statement to 7News.com.au.
“Thankfully the group were successful in doing so and stayed at the scene to ensure the police and eventually the ambulance arrived.”
Although his agents maintained that Mr Patel was no hero for stepping in to break up the fight, they hoped his fame would help prevent similar situations in the future.
“This specific incident highlights a larger systemic problem of marginalized members of society who are not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” the statement said.
“The hope is that the same level of media attention this story is receiving (solely because Dev, as a celebrity, was involved) can be a catalyst for lawmakers to be compassionate in determining long-term solutions to help not only the people who were involved but the community at large.”
Mr. Patel, known for his roles in Lion i millionaire slumdog, is dating Australian actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey. The couple have been dating since they starred in the 2018 film together Bombay Hotel.
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