There is no dejection about my film career, says Upen Patel

Actor Upen Patel, who has been part of hit films like "Namastey London" and "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", says he was not keen on appearing in movies just to be in the limelight.

Upen made his Bollywood debut with the Shahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer "36 China Town". He was then seen in Akshay Kumar's "Namastey London" and Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif's "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" and Tamil film "I" among others.

Ask him if he is saddened with the way his film career has shaped up, Upen told PTI, "There is no dejection at all (about my film career). I never planned to be an actor, it just happened. It isn't that there is no work, but just that I don't want to do everything that is offered to me."

He says he would have been worried as an actor if he had no film offers coming his way.

"I do get offers, specially after 'I', I got several offers from South to do more projects. But you have to be very careful today with the kind of movies you choose. I was getting offers to star in a lot of erotic-dramas. I don't have anything against the genre just that I wasn't comfortable doing them."

Upen, 36, is currently gearing up for the release of his film, "Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha". The film marks his reunion with director Suneel Darshan after their last outing in 2007 with "Shakalaka Boom Boom".

The model-actor says when Darshan approached him for the film he instantly liked the script as it gave him an opportunity to showcase his acting talent.

The upcoming romantic mystery stars Suneel's son Shiv Darshan along with actress Natasha Fernandez. It is scheduled to release on June 30.

Upen has been in news for his personal life - be it his link up with actress Amrita Arora or his split with former girlfriend, Karishma Tanna.

The actor says he does not like discussing about his personal life.

"I started my career very young and achieved fame very fast as a model. I understand that because you are a public figure, certain aspects of your life garner public interest. I have been open about my relationships with the media.

"I accept it (people talking about personal life), but I also have a certain control over how much I want to say about it. I know where to draw the line," he adds.

-PTI