"I can't be dismissed as my time has just begun" - Upen Patel
February 22, 2008 - 12:21 IST
Three film old Upen Patel (Shakalaka Boom Boom, Namastey London and 36 China Town) is gearing up for his fourth release, One Two Three. However, the young actor insists that he merely has a guest appearance in the film.
"It's not a full on appearance as many believe. One Two Three is centered on three characters played by Sunil Shetty, Tusshar Kapoor and Paresh Rawal, with a common name Laxmi Narayan. I am mainly present for one song and a few scenes", clarifies Upen.
Promos of Ashwani Dheer directed One Two Three are out and though they last as much as 120 seconds, Upen doesn't feature prominently in any of the close shots. Is he disappointed? "Not really", shrugs Upen, "As I said, the film doesn't revolve around me. I am happy with the project. It's a good set up to be a part of."
Getting into a pensive mood, Upen says, "Sometimes I am not too sure what some folks decide to talk or write about me. Even though I am happy with the way things are looking up in my career, at times there is a certain negative energy that seems to engulf me. I am still trying to figure out why, where and how does it get generated."
How does he cope up with unwanted negative attention that he encounters sometimes? "I am a fighter and I know things will happen well for me. That may not happen immediately but it certainly would be the case eventually. I am not someone who can break so easily."
Even with two successes under his belt (36 China Town, Namastey London), doesn't it pain to see himself being considered as an outsider? "Why won't it be", counter questions Upen, "Ok, so I wasn't the main lead in both the films but nevertheless had an important part to play. Also, in case the films wouldn't have worked, would I have been let off?"
"Thankfully, I am not working with small time filmmakers or actors ever since I stepped into Bollywood. For a rank outsider like me, I guess I am quite content to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Akshay Kumar, Akshaye Khanna, Suneel Darshan, Abbas-Mustan, Subhash Ghai, Kumar Mangat and the likes. I can't be dismissed as my time has just begun."
After One Two Three, Upen Patel would soon be seen in Kumar Mangat's next production Money Hain To Honey Hain. Directed by Ganesh Acharya, the film features him along with Govinda, Celina Jaitley, Manoj Bajpai, Hansika Motwani and Isha Koppikar. Reportedly, he has also been signed by Suneel Darshan for two upcoming projects though a formal announcement is still awaited.
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