Upen didn't mind stepping in for Salman

"I was actually asked to step into Salman Khan's act at the last minute. Believe it or not, I had just one hour to rehearse! I don't know how I managed it," Upen, who featured in films like "36 China Town" and "Namastey London", told IANS.

"Salman, I'm told, couldn't come for his performance because of a torn ligament. I happily agreed to be a last-minute replacement because I didn't want them to incur losses. Why wouldn't I want to step in for Salman? He's a rock star. Besides, they altered Salman's act to suit my personality.

"Initially, I was supposed to dance to two songs from 'Partner'. But when I stepped in, they re-structured the intro with bits of my songs from '36 China Town' and 'Shakalaka Boom Boom' to begin the act."

The response Upen got from his fellow-Londoners on the Saturday event was unimaginable.

"London is my home. And to perform there was a dream come true for me. My mom, my sister and my entire family watched me. They had planned a lavish act with Salman with motorbikes on stage and everything."

Earlier, Upen was supposed to be part only of Shah Rukh Khan's act.

"He did a kind of 'Om Shanti Om' with a gender reversal where instead of all the heroines all the heroes joined him on stage. I was only supposed to be a part of that. But thanks to Salman, I had two acts, one for myself and one with Shah Rukh. The press here in London has gone ballistic over my act. I can't get over it."