Patel's mom says he's dating Pinto

LONDON, April 27 (UPI) -- Dev Patel's mother has confirmed the British actor is dating his "Slumdog Millionaire" co-star Freida Pinto.

The pair have previously denied they were in a romantic relationship, but photos surfaced last week showing them cuddling in Israel.

"First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place," Anita Patel told England's Daily Mirror. "Life can't get any better for him. ... Freida is really beautiful, and I am really happy for them."

Anita Patel said she was aware her son was going to see Pinto in Jerusalem, where she is working on director Julian Schnabel's film "Miral."

"Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her," she said.