This London-born boy was studying computer science when he was offered a chance to model and grabbed it. Many modelling assignments later, directors Abbas-Mustan offered him a role in 36 China Town for which Patel won several ‘best debut’ awards. Namastey London and Shakalaka Boom Boom soon followed. Though his latest release, Money Hai To Honey Hai, hasn’t done too well, Upen is looking ahead to Shyam Bajaj’s Mr Romeo where he finally gets to play hero. Would you like to be 16 again?
Well, I still think of myself as a 16-year-old. What car do you drive and what would you like to drive?
I drive a BMW-M series and would love to drive a Lamborghini as I love sports cars. The one film you can see again and again?
Ek Rishta. You get put off by people when they…
Are dishonest. What attracts you in a woman?
Her smile. As they say, a smile is worth a thousand words. A childhood memory that’s special to you?
All memories of my childhood are very special. When you get angry, you…
I don’t react in a good way so the best thing is not to get angry at all. If you woke up and found you’d turned into a woman, you would…
I would have a heart attack! If you could remove one person from this earth, it would be...?
Osama Bin Laden. If your partner cheated on you, you’d…
It wouldn’t be a good thing at all and would be the other person’s loss entirely. Your favourite outfit?
I feel a man looks best in a formal suit. What perfume do you wear?
I wear a perfume called Sculpture. Three wishes you’d like a good genie to grant you?
1) All my films should be superhits 2) No one in my family should have bad health and 3) The world should be a peaceful and happy place. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to change more than one thing about myself. I would like to be more patient and also be at peace with myself and try to learn better Hindi. The last holiday you went on?
I went to Mauritius for the New Year. The best thing that’s happened to you?
Bollywood. Who or what sets your pulse racing?
The doctor. Do you pray? If yes, to whom?
I meditate a lot as I am a very spiritual person. The restaurant you love going to?
I prefer ghar ka khana and my favourite is Gujarati kadhi.
Two ways in which you have changed in the last ten years?
I have grown both in age and height. The outdoor activity you love?
Soccer. You don’t believe in?
The word hate. Your next move…
To touch the sky – hopefully.
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