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Actor Upen Patel has been running around quite a bit. We spotted him running on the beach at 5 pm. And the actor, we’ve learnt, covers a minimum of 8 km at a steady trot. All this isn’t just to keep fit, but also to help him increase his stamina. After all long shoots may be tiring, na! Also, the nature lover that Upen is, running on the beach gives him more pleasure than hitting the gym at an early hour. It gets him closer to nature! Looks like this actor likes the outdoors a lot.

Talking about living life in the fast lane, Upen Patel is right there, ahead of the road. He’s already proved that he’s a fast mover in tinselville. No, we’re not talking about the hotties he’s spotted with. But, with roles from good banners tucked under his belt, Upen seems to be making his way around fast. Now, the boy is flaunting his passion for hot wheels. He loves sporty cars and bikes, and is often seen vrooming around in his fancy BMW. He’s already set eyes on a new machine he wants to own, but that will have to wait for a while, as he’s stocking up the moolah. Hey Upen, don’t whiz around so fast that we lose touch with you. We can get you a speedometer if you want. Wot say?

Upen Patel, seems to be fedup with the rumour mills. Some time ago there was a story doing the rounds about his misdemeanor at a night-club, where he poured a glass of wine on his ex-girlfriend in a fit of rage. Then more recently, he was supposedly spotted with the towering beauty, Tabu. One way or the other, the flashbulbs are always zooming in on this dude. “I wish people would talk about my work, instead of focussing on rumours about me. What I really want people to know is that I’ve been signed up for three films by producer Kumar Mangat, and that calls for a celebration,” says Upen. Wonder who’ll be celebrating the success with you?

He doesn’t underplay the fact that he’s got a great bod and what’s more, he likes showing it off too! Upen Patel’s shirtless act at a recent awards ceremony had girls swooning over him and Upen couldn’t be happier about that. So is he going the Salman Khan way? “Salman’s not the only one who can go shirtless, I can do it, too. Besides I don’t follow anybody, I create my own style,” says Upen.

His confidence has also been boosted by his debut film, 36 Chinatown. His song, Aashiqui, being touted as an item number, has become a huge hit. So will we see Upen doing more such item numbers in future? “I don’t mind being labelled an item boy and am comfortable with my sexuality,” says the Brit born actor. He adds, “But that was just a teaser, you’ll see more of me in my forthcoming biggie which is a Sunil Darshan film. It’s a typical Bollywood film and I play the pucca hero.”

So now he’s off to South Africa for a month to shoot for the film with Bobby Deol and Celina Jaitley. “I’ve signed eight films and this is just the beginning, but I can’t wait to become a superstar,” says Upen.

And he’s on the road to superstardom, he believes, with his career going great guns. He’s been vocal, too, that the upswings happened since his split with Amrita Arora. “Yes, and I still stand by that. It’s been three years now and my life has been absolutely great. And I’m still single.”

But some recent reports and buzz in the media prove otherwise. Pictures of Upen smooching model Shamita Singha in a swimming pool were splashed in the glossies. Something brewing there? “Oh that was just a private moment caught in public glare. I think it’s just been blown out of proportion. Things aren’t serious as yet, but let’s see how it turns out in the future,” says Upen.

Talking about women, any thoughts on what his ideal woman should be? “Absolutely not! That’s because I want my ideal woman to come searching for me.” But he does know the perfect formula for his dream film. “It’s got to have loads of action, sexy babes and hi-fi gadgets, that’s me!”

Model-turned-actor Upen Patel seems to move from controversy to controversy. After being linked with various models and starlets, and after his much-talked about split with actor Amrita Arora, the actor was lately spotted at a swimming pool in a five-star hotel, lip-locked with model Shamita Singha. What’s with the public display of affection? “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, is there?” asks Upen. “I am single. Besides, it’s over, I am no longer dating her.” So, he is comfortable with his photographs kissing an exgirlfriend being displayed across the country? “I have no problem about it,” he says. “Although I don’t think she would like it. In international magazines, actors are photographed with their lovers and they are pretty cool about it. I think, it’s high time we grow up and accept this reality too.”

The photograph, which originally appeared in a glossy magazine, set the gossip mills rolling. So, what’s with his Casanova attitude? “I am hardly a Casanova. I am always clear about my relationships,” he replies. “When I was dating Amrita, I was open about my relationship with her.” This photograph tells all too. “Come on, this is just a kiss,” shrugs Upen. “We were not aware that someone was sneakily clicking our photographs. But I am not complaining. I realise that this comes as part of the package of being a public figure.”

While most of our Bollywood actors are image-conscious and try to avoid such scandals, Upen appears pretty cool about being caught kissing on camera. “The times have changed and we need to face reality,” he says. “I respect women and I am glad that I have girlfriends whom I can trust. I think as a bachelor it’s cool to have relationships. It’s not a crime.”