Upen Patel is on a roll. The supermodel’s debut film, Abbas-Mustan’s 36 China Town, releases on May 5. HT City caught up with the actor, who stars with Akshaye Khanna, Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor.
Excitement galore: There are butterflies in my stomach as my debut film is ready for release. But I am excited, too. I am really looking forward to the film. It’s such a fantastic script and I play the parallel lead. It is a murder mystery. I couldn’t have asked for a better break -Subhash Ghai (Mukta Arts), Abbas-Mustan…. I am the USP of the film. I appear at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Learning Hindi: If you are in Hindi films, you have to learn Hindi. There’s no point making an issue out of it. I am taking diction classes. There are people like John Abraham, Dino Morea and Katrina Kaif who didn’t know much Hindi when they started off. People who have lived here can speak but those who haven’t need to learn.
Stylised character: My character is called Rocky, who is a very fun-loving guy. He is also very innocent. I did do a lot of rehearsals for the role. I also went to acting schools, learnt dancing and other things. I had to instil mannerisms for the character. It is a very stylised character, quite like me in real life.
{{/usCountry}}Stylised character: My character is called Rocky, who is a very fun-loving guy. He is also very innocent. I did do a lot of rehearsals for the role. I also went to acting schools, learnt dancing and other things. I had to instil mannerisms for the character. It is a very stylised character, quite like me in real life.
{{/usCountry}}Supportive co-stars: Oh my God! They were very supportive. Akshaye Khanna plays the cop who comes only in the second half and the first half revolves around Kareena, Shahid and me.
Working with Ghai: He has always encouraged me. He has always said I have potential and a great physique.
Action role: I have a few action sequences in the film, but they are very slick.
Different job: Modelling is all about attitude, but acting is much more than that. The two can’t be compared. Yes, acting is a hard job.
Himesh rocks:Ashiqui, by Himesh Reshammiya, is my favourite track and I am so happy it’s a big hit. I hope the film also turns out to be a hit.
Signing spree: It feels great. I am doing Suneel Darshan and Vipul Shah’s next. Then there is Abbas-Mustan’s film. There is no pressure. I am the surprise package of the film. There are so many things that I have to learn, things that I think I can do better.