London - It's true. Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are dating.

That is according to London's Daily Mirror, which on Monday quoted Patel's mum Anita as saying: 'First, it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place.'

The 45-year-old care worker added: 'Life can't get any better for him. Freida is really beautiful, and I am happy for them.'

Her comments came days after pictures appeared of Patel, 19, and Pinto, 24, cuddling at an outdoor cafe in Israel, where she is filming Julian Schnabel's Miral.

In one photo, she leans in to kiss him. In another, she rests her head on his shoulder.

They spent hours together in a hotel before emerging for a stroll and dinner at a restaurant.

An onlooker said: 'Dev couldn't take his eyes off her and she kept snuggling up to get closer to him.'

'Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her,' said Anita.

The lovebirds come from different backgrounds: Pinto is from Mumbai while Patel lives with his mum in London. The two, who played sweethearts Jamal and Latika in Slumdog Millionaire, had grown close while promoting the film around the world.

Last February, co-star Anil Kapoor had hinted at a secret relationship, saying the couple shared 'a magical chemistry'. Pinto's ex, Rohan Antao, had also blamed Patel for their split.

But on Oscar night on Feb 22, Patel, quizzed about the rumours, had insisted: 'No, no, no.'