If Someone Appreciates My Work, Then That Means Everything To Me: Upen Patel

Model-actor Upen Patel has a major fan following, thanks to his ‘Greek God’ looks. From his debut film, 36 China Town, to playing the jilted lover in his latest outing Ek Haseena Thi Ek Dewana Tha, Upen has had a long journey in Bollywood.

In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, the actor explains why he calls himself an underdog, what makes him sign a film and how he feels about being called a heart-throb.

What did you like about your character in Ek Haseena Thi Ek Dewana Tha?
I am so grateful for the appreciation and really humbled by it. I truly gave my all and really had to dig deep emotionally to portray the characters graph. I’ve always believed if you’re honest to your work, people will see it and I’m very happy people connected emotionally to my performance and that my hard work has paid off.

How receptive has the industry been to you, as an outsider?
Honestly, I’m the underdog and it works for me. I just focus on working on myself and improving myself as an artist and slowly making my mark with the right films. I’m blessed that I’ve worked with some great (film)makers and I am in a position where I can choose the work I believe in. I know the harder I work, the luckier I’ll get.

What do you look for when signing a film?
I believe all actors are choosy when it comes to signing a film. It’s important you believe in the subject. I want to read a script and not be able to put it down. It is only then that I know this is the film I want to do. As an actor you also have a certain responsibility to your audience, it’s not all about money, for me its more about the art and growing as a performer. I don’t take long gaps intentionally and I have no shame in asking for work but I know being an outsider things take a little longer to fall in place.

How does your films’ fate at the box office affect you, today Bollywood is all about box office numbers.
I am an actor and I just focus on my performance and my director’s vision. Of course I want each of my films do to well, but that is not in my control. What is in my control is delivering performances. Failure, for me, is part of growth and teaches me where I need to correct myself not just in movies but in life too. Every time I’ve failed, I’ve gotten up stronger. Success and failure go hand in hand and it is important to be humble in victory and defeat.

How do you feel about also being called a heartthrob?
It is very flattering and I’m grateful, but beauty is god-gifted so it’s nice to be appreciated physically to a certain extent, but when someone comes up to me and appreciates my work that means everything. Because that’s what I’ve created and worked hard for. Beauty fades but talent lasts a lifetime.