Dev Patel is set to feature in the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel alongside screen legends Dame Judi Dench and Bill Nighy.

The sequel sees the expansionist dream of Sonny Kapoor making more claims on his time, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina.

Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy and Lavinia.

Evelyn and Douglas have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors.

Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel, the keeper of everyone’s secrets.

As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

In The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Bill Nighy gets to ride around Jaipur on a motorbike with Dame Judi Dench on the back for the second time.

“I’m still hopeless on a motorbike,” Bill admitted. “Took 17 takes. I don’t know why they didn’t use a stunt rider in long shot.”

Meanwhile, Dame Judi claims she may get a tattoo after turning 80 a symbol from India - the location for her new film.

“There’s an Indian symbol that I like which supposedly represents life and love and everything. One of the cameramen who worked on The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel told me what it meant, but I’m a bit nervous in case I’m being set up - It might be unbelievably rude.”

Meanwhile, Dev was back in India for the shoot of his next Hollywood film Lion.

He will star opposite Nicole Kidman and shooting for the film had already started in Kolkata. Bollywood actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priyanka Bose, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Deepti Naval will also be starring in the film.