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"I'm very spiritual. I do meditate; I have a chant given by some Guruji which I say a 1,000 times in a day" - Upen Patel 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, March 23, 2007 - 13:18 IST
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Shakalaka Boom Boom is my second film. I’m very excited about it. It is directed by Suneel Darshan.
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The Brit boy who kicked off his career in modeling and later switched to Bollywood has become the new heartthrob in the industry. After bagging the Best debut award for his role in 36 China Town Upen Patel is all set to rock. The excited actor talks to IndiaFM about his two upcoming films Shakalaka Boom Boomand Namastey London.
How is life post 36 China Town?
Life after 36 China Town has been very good for me. It’s been a fantastic debut for me. The song which Himesh gave me was a huge hit all around the world. So I hope you are recognizing me because of that. So I was really excited. Also the critics in India appreciated my debut. My role in 36 China Town which is really good because I think a lot of people were saying, “Where would Upen Patel be, you know there is Kareena Kapoor, there is Shahid Kapoor, Akshaya Khanna? He is doing a small role, would he get lost?”
But I feel everybody in that film benefited me the most. Winning “Best Newcomer” this year for 36 China Town just proved that and I think it’s fantastic for me.
Shakalaka Boom Boom seems promising...
Shakalaka Boom Boom is my second film. I’m very excited about it. It is directed by Suneel Darshan. I can say it’s my lone film because I’m playing the main lead in the film. Bobby plays a negative character; both the girls are opposite me. I’m playing a rock star who comes from India and goes to New York with big dreams in his eyes of becoming huge rock star in the US.
So he is a guy who is very ambitious, very aggressive, and temperamental. He works with instinct and that’s what takes him to America where you have another character called AJ who is played by Bobby Deol, who is a fantastic actor. AJ, who is already in US, is doing very well for himself and he starts getting insecure because a new kid is coming and people like his music.
So it’s a basically about the insecurities that Bobby has with me and how we are archrivals in this music industry and about the whole circle and the procedure. How people try and disturb our relationship, disturb our music. Shakalaka Boom Boom is inspired from an English movie called “Amadeus”.
Shakalaka Boom Boom is inspired from an English movie called “Amadeus”.
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How are Celina and Kangana as co-stars?
I think you have seen her in the many films and she is appreciated. She was a Miss India, very smart girl, professional girl. So I’m very excited about working with her and I’m sure this film would do a lot for her.
Then there is a Kangana who we all know is a fantastic actress. She is proved herself in Gangster and Woh Lamhe. It was a pleasure and honor to work with her and she is also being wining best newcomer this year as well with me.
So I think for me and Kangana it’s a very exciting year with such a big film. She is also playing a glamorous role; I’m also playing a leading man for the first time. So for both of us this means a lot for us.
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I’m playing the main lead in the film. Bobby plays a negative character; both the girls are opposite me.
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You get to kiss both the girls in the film....
Yeah, I kissed both the girls in the film. The script required it, I think both the kisses are situational. They are not like long-long kisses, they are about 2-3 seconds shot. But it’s just to show the relationship I share with Kangana and Celina, also to show the intimacy of the relationship which also ruffles some feathers with Bobby. But I think the scene is necessary. So the audiences try to understand the relationship that we would share and why Bobby has felt this way.
So I think once you guys see the film you will understand why these kisses are there.
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Yeah, I kissed both the girls in the film. The script required it; I think both the kisses are situational.
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Himesh's music is chartbuster stuff...
Working with Himesh, you got to love him or hate him but you can’t know him. I think his music says it all. He has been very lucky for me. He gave me Aashiqui Mein in 36 China Town and today he is giving me Shaka Laka Boom Boom and he is giving me Dil Lagayenge. So he has given me some great music. He claims that this is the best music he has ever done. So that’s exciting and good to know that people are appreciating this type of songs. So I think we have got a fantastic team.
They have got me, Kangana, Celina, Bobby, Himesh. We have got very young team and it also exciting for my director-producer Suneel Darshan because he is also working with everybody for the first time. Apart from Bobby; it’s a whole new cast for him. It’s a whole new technician team for him. So I think every thing is very exciting for all of us.
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Himesh, you got to love him or hate him but you can’t know him.
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How is Suneel Darshan as a director?
See Mr. Darshan is a very patient man and I think for a newcomer it’s a very important to someone to be patient with you and I respect him a lot. He is like a father figure for me. He believed in me, he has guided me and I think he is someone that I think knows how to bring out acting me.
He saw 36 China Town and told me that “When I saw the film I thought there was so much more to you. so I have cast you in this film because I believe you can act. I believe you can act; you can take things to another step, and not just look good dancing. And I hope I make his belief come true because he is really giving everything to his film and he stood by me.
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Suneel Darshan said to me that “I believe you can act; you can take things to another step, and don’t just look good dancing”.
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What's the USP of Shakalaka?
I think me and Kangana are the USP of the film. You got two good newcomers coming together for the first time in a Suneel Darshan. Suneel Darshan is a man who works with the biggest stars with Akshya Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor, Sunny Deol. He only works with big stars.
So I think it’s a very young, very urban, hit film, its way today and you have got a very fresh pair of me and Kangana. I’m coming after one year back on the screen after 36 China Town. Kangana is coming after Gangster and Woh Lamhe. She is doing a glamour’s role. So I think expectations are high, the film is different, the music is different and the pairing is different. So I think there is lot of reasons why its come to Shakalaka Boom Boom.
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I think me and Kangana are the USP of Shakalaka Boom Boom.
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How was your experience working for Namastey London?
Like I said any film you do is always a great experience. I have come here to make films, make good films, make films that people enjoy. If I can touch their heart with my cinema then I feel I’m half way there. So it is a great experience, anything I do was a great experience. I give 120% to all my work.
What is the film about?
I can’t tell you what the film is about but I can give you my character. I’m playing a Pakistani boy Imran who falls in love with a British girl and wants to marry her. And it’s about how strong values his family has, coming from traditional Muslim family. So that’s what my character in the film is about.
Your preference in terms of branded clothes you wear?
Western brands. I prefer them because I don’t really wear Indian clothes. I think in movies today people wear less Indian clothes, more western outfits. For me I prefer shirts, jeans and I’m happy with a blazer or so. 99% of the time I tend to wear western outfits.
Where do you do your shopping?
Normally when I’m traveling I shop in London a lot that’s where my family is. Also when I’m in Dubai, wherever I’m traveling I love to shop. I’m shopoholic. So I have love for fashion and clothes.
India Fashion designers you like?
Indian designers are Arjun Khanna and Devendra Kumar I think they are fantastic designers. If had to choose international then I love Prada, that’s one of my favorite brands. I love Prada.
Where do you think your sex appeal lies?
I don’t think my sex appeal lies in my smile. Because I think a smile can say a thousand words.
What is your zodiac sign?
My zodiac sign, I’m a Leo.
What is your fitness regime like?
I train everyday. I train one muscle part a day. I have a high protein list of hybrid diet. But I also treat myself, I don’t kill myself in diets because diet is just like eating right, sleeping right. So my main mantra is you know train hard, sleep well, eat well, that’s my main mantra of fitness.
Your favorite cologne?
My favorite cologne has to be Angel by Thierry Mugler. When I went to buy it once on the counter the guy who sold me the perfume he said to me, “this is made of something women can’t resist” It’s an irresistible to women. So kept thinking what is that one think women can’t resist. So he said to me, “Think hard Sir” and I thought and I thought and he told me, “Its made from Chocolate”. And this is my secret weapon and it works every time.
Where do you workout?
I workout in Zaf Gym in Bandra.
Your diet includes...
Like I told you just a high protein diet and less carbs.
Any fitness supplements??
Myoplex. I take that twice a day. One as soon as I wake up and one soon after my workout.
What is your Poison?
My Poison is mineral water. That’s my poison.
Are you spiritual?
I’m very spiritual. I do meditate; I do have a chant which some Guruji has given which I say a 1,000 times in a day. I don’t have to sit in a corner with tape just do my day-to-day as long as I say the mantra in my head. So I do have a chant as such.
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I’m very spiritual. I do meditate; I do have a chant which some Guruji has given which I say a 1,000 times in a day.
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Your bedtime is....
Bed time – whenever I finish work I don’t have a set time for – when I sleep sometimes I can sleep 3’o clock in the morning 4’o clock in the morning. Sometimes I sleep at 11’o clock at night. So I don’t have a time.
Your Fashion Statement?
Yeah you know don’t let the clothes wear you, wear the clothes. Never imitate, innovate because I think if we try to copy somebody else and it doesn’t suite you, just to your personality.
Most beautiful actress of all times...
All of them, they all are very beautiful.
Celina or Kangana?
Celina and Kangana
Akshay Kumar or Bobby Deol?
Salmaan Khan.
Your first date...
Too young to remember. Long time ago.
Modeling or acting?
Let the public decide. Modeling is just for job, acting is just another job. Just because you model doesn’t mean you can’t act.
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Modeling is just for job, acting is just another job. Just because you model doesn’t mean you can’t act.
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What are your future films?
My future films are very bright, very good and I’m very excited about them but right now its only Shakalaka Boom Boom for me.
Nothing has been actually finalized or type of the star cast at the moment. I’m still choosing and talking. I’ve signed with many banners. I’ve signed with Ramesh Sippy, Venus, Tips, --. So there are lot of big banners I’ve signed with but I haven’t decided anything concrete yet. But when I do you will be the first one to know.
IndiaFM to you means...
To me IndiaFM.com you know its surprising. I have been to South Africa, I’ve been to UK and I think 80% of the logins are all from overseas because for them IndiaFM is a bible for people who live outside India. For the press, for the kids for the public. So IndiaFM to me is Bollywood bible.
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IndiaFM to me is Bollywood bible.
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IndiaFM to you means...
I have been to South Africa, I’ve been to UK and I think 80% of the logins are from overseas. IndiaFM is a bible for people who live outside India. For the press, for the kids for the public! So IndiaFM to me is Bollywood bible.
Funniest rumour you heard?
None. I don’t find any rumors funny.
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