By Janine Moodley
Jetting down to Durban for the first time to host a fashion event, gorgeous supermodel turned actor, Upen Patel took a moment to speak to me about how he became an international superstar.
JM: Having worked in South Africa several times, what has your experience been like and how have South Africans, especially Durbanites treated you?
UP: Actually its my first time in Durban but I have worked in South Africa before, hosting events and local fashion shows and the people have been quite friendly. I was quite excited coming to Durban for the first time and looking forward to see how people will treat me here.
JM: You began your career as a model, going on to model for international multi-million dollar brands such as Versace, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger, what made you venture into the world of acting?
UP: I didn't decide to get into acting, it kind of chose me. I was doing fashion and then I think just like most people when they become huge models whether you're female or male, the next step is Bollywood. Arjun Rampal, Dino Morea all came from modelling, so for me that was my pathway. So unless you come from a film family, the only way to get into the industry is through modeling.
JM: From all the Indian beauties that you have worked with so far, who was a pleasure working with and who was an Ultimate Drama Queen?
UP: They were all a pleasure to work with and there were no drama queens (laughs).
JM: Have you tried your hand at Hollywood movies and who would you like to work with from that industry?
UP: No, I have not, I'm just so busy with the work I have right now although my favourite international director is Clint Eastwood. I would love to be apart of his films, even if it is just a fun character. Acting wise there's so many people I would love to work with, like Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Al Pacino, I mean they are all so great.
JM: You were voted one of the top 10 sexiest Asian men in the world for four years in a row. What did that feel like and what was the response from your fans?
UP: You know I really don't take that stuff seriously, but its nice to be appreciated although I would love to be appreciated for my work. I always felt like the obsession of my looks and body takes over from my work and people forget that I have won awards for acting. I would like to be appreciated for my arts and crafts apart from anything else.
JM: You also received the award for most stylish male for two years in a row by MTV India. When deciding what to wear for an event, how do you choose what's hot and what's not?
UP: You know I like to dress comfortably and I have a very famous saying that there's two things you can never be, over dressed and over educated, so for any event I like to over dress, I also read a lot to keep myself up to date with what's current.
JM: Your parents were originally from Uganda in East Africa before moving to the UK, why did they leave Africa and did you ever visit Uganda after your parents left?
UP: I have never visited Uganda and would never go there. My parents were kicked out of Uganda along with all the other Asians by Idi Amin in 1972. They were given 90 days to leave so the Asians either went to Canada or the UK, the two governments that allowed people to come through because Idi Amin was killing all the Asians during that time.
JM: Being born in the UK, how did you learn to speak hindi fluently and what other languages can you speak?
UP: It was very hard work to learn the language but I did. I only speak English and Hindi/Urdu.
JM: I'm sure there a loads of groupies that follow you around. Tell us of an experience where a fan got out of hand when they met you in person?
UP: Actually I have no groupies (shrugs). The Asian community doesn't really have that, they don't have groupies. They are quite polite, they might want to take a picture with you or give you a hug but nothing extreme. I've never had an episode of an out of hand fan, I've always met lovely people.
JM: When can your fans see more of you on the big screen?
UP: Well, I have been shooting this movie for one year called 'I', its a Tamil/Telugu film. Its being directed by Shankar. It is one of the most expensive movies made in India. AR Rahman is doing the music, Peter Jackson who did Lord of the Rings is doing the special effects. Its a huge, huge, huge canvas.
JM: This question is for all your female fans, tell us about your love life- are you dating anyone? Are you single or in a complicated relationship?
UP: (Smiles) I'm single at the moment.
Just for fun:
JM: Tie or T-shirt
Tie
JM: Boxers or briefs
Boxerbriefs
JM: Sunset or sunrise
Sunset
JM: Silk or cotton
Silk
JM: Celina Jaitley or Deepika Padukone
None, I refuse to comment without my lawyer present (laughs)
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