Supermodel Upen Patel is all anxious about his first-ever Bollywood venture 36 China Town. Produced by Subhash Ghai and directed by Abbas-Mustan, the hunk is convinced that t can't get bigger than this…
36 China Town, a Mukta Arts production being directed by Abbas-Mustan, as your first venture is definitely a big catch...
"It's like a dream baby for me. I always wanted to enter Bollywood with a bang. It can't get bigger than Subhash Ghai and Abbas-Mustan. I am grateful to them for this opportunity. It's a special launch, they gave me the lead role in their film and I am really excited about it."
They say it can't get better than Abbas-Mustan…
"Abbas-Mustan are very stylish. They are so smart, so on the ball, and very humble people. To handle a newcomer the one thing that you need is patience, and they have so much it."
Tell us something about your role in the movie…
"I am playing a very stylish, fun-loving guy named Rocky. Every time he comes on screen, one knows that something's going to happen."
Subhash Ghai seems to be promoting you a lot…
"It feels great! I have signed another film with Mukta Arts and another with Abbas-Mustan. So, they obviously have invested great faith in me. The way they've promoted me, I couldn't have asked for more. 36 China Town has a huge star-cast and they've really made me stand out."
Shahid doesn't like being kept out of the attention zone. Isn't he upset with the way the banner is promoting you?
"I haven't heard anything to that effect, so definitely not! Shahid is a great performer. We didn't have many scenes together but we all - Shahid, Akshaye myself - got along well."
How well do you get along with Kareena?
"We were working for such a big banner - Mukta Arts -, and when you work for a mega project, everything has to be great. It's a different ball game. You put the film before anything else. Kareena is a super actress."
Shahid and Kareena are paired opposite each other in the film. But you seem to have nobody opposite you…
"You'll be surprised. I have not one, but quite a few girls paired opposite me. The guys are going to be wishing they were me!"
You have a typical Brit accent… "For this film it's an advantage, it suits my character. I've dubbed my own parts and it is sounding good."
Would you accent limit the number of offers coming your way?
"I am working on my Hindi. So give me some time for that. Also, offers are coming in any which way, so I don't think my accent is a very big issue."
How was it dancing to Himesh Reshammiya's tunes?
"It was amazing. He gave me a song people love. He is my rock-star and made my life rocking. The minute I walk in to a club people start singing my song to me. Many believe that models can't dance, let me tell you, dancing comes very naturally to me."
Most models disassociate themselves completely from the ramp after they step into Bollywood…
"I really don't know if I'm going to be part of the catwalk, anymore, but I'll never dissociate myself from it. I'll never forget where I started from. "
With the perfect body, are we going to witness a lot of shirtless acts from you?
"That's very possible, but it depends largely on how the women are going to be reacting to it all!"
How do you maintain your physique?
"I work out regularly, sleep well and eat lots of the right thing."
The sexiest Bollywood actress according to you is…
"They all are beautiful. If I had to name just one, it would be Aishwarya Rai!"
Ex-girlfriend Amrita Arora seems to have moved on with her love-life. Have you?
"Upen could've moved on or couldn't have moved on… it's a guessing game!"
What are your forthcoming projects?
"Suneel Darshan's next with Bobby Deol and Vipul Shah's Namaste London with Akshay Kumar."
Mangal Lakshmi
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