Dev Patel still 'best friends' with ex Freida Pinto

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are still "best friends".

Although the pair - who met on the set of 'Slumdog Millionaire' - split in 2014 after six years together, Dev insisted they are still close and he will always cherish memories of their relationship.

He told The Times Weekend magazine: "Oh, she's great. She's awesome, dude. She has been one of the most impactful people on my life. We shared a very beautiful experience together not only cinematically but personally so I'll always have great respect for her."

Right now Dev, 25, is enjoying the single life, dividing his time between his new home in Los Angeles and his family in London.

He said: "The most important women in my life are my mum and older sister, Komal. They are brutally frank -- they are the people who keep me grounded through any possible ego moments.

"I'm a ball of energy. If I'm not asleep, I'm going at full speed at everything. Sometimes I need someone to say, 'Bro, you need to take this seriously and focus'.

"I'm not really thinking about relationships or family or kids. I'm just a regular guy who spends weekends hanging out with the lads.

"I don't go crazy and I am not very celebrity-minded. I am very grounded because, actually, acting is hard work. It's early mornings on set and then plenty of concentration."