The former Skins actor said: "That would be a really long game for a horny 17-year-old to play.

There’s not even any point me trying to clarify or justify it, because then you give those silly headlines power.

As of 2016, the 31-year-old actress is dating professional polo player, Ronnie Bacardi.

Dev, who rose to global fame with Danny Boyle's ' Slumdog Millionaire,' had also been in a steady relationship with his co-star Freida Pinto.

' Lion,' also starring Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara and Sunny Pawar, was directed by Garth Davis.

Speaking to the Guardian, Dev said: "We are incredibly close.

She’s just a really generous, patient human being who has been one of the most impactful people on my life."A lot of my motivation has come from her, from being with her and knowing her."When asked if about the rumours that swirled around the pair when they initially began dating, claiming their relationship was established to purely to promote their careers, Dev vehemently disagreed.