Upen Patel in happy place with personal and work life

After their romance on Bigg Boss, Upen Patel will be on Nach Baliye with partner Karishma Tanna. Upen tells us all about it.

What is it that made you take up Nach Baliye?
I've always worked in movies and have done lots of drama and action. But Nach Baliye is a great platform to emote romance and show India that I'm an all rounder performer.

As a dancer/performer what do you feel are you strengths or weaknesses and your partners strengths/weaknesses?
There are going to be a lot of genres of dance that will be new to me so that will be a weakness as I'll be doing them for the first time and my biggest strength off mine and my partners is that no one can out work us.

Preparation for the show?
No preparation at all. We signed the show just a few days ago, so very last minute.

Do you enjoy reality shows more than dailies?
I've always done movies and I love acting but the dates and money happen to workout so this is why I took on Nach and plus straight after Nach Baliye I have two movies back to back

The dance forms you are excited to learn or are already good at?
I am excited to learn so many from salsa to contemporary. It's so great to get a chance to be with a loved one and learn some great forms.

The dancers you have always looked up to and why?
Michael Jackson of course. I don't think I need to explain.

How comfortable are you with viewers getting a peek into your personal life through reality shows?
I'm not quite sure , I never expected to meet someone nor have I been a very open person in these situations. But life is always full of surprises and I'm in a very happy place with my personal and work life.

Any tips that you have taken from previous season contestants or winners?
To be honest I haven't seen Nach before so the all the more this is exciting. Stepping into the unknown.

How do you feel about being away from family and friends for the duration of show?
I will miss my family and friends but I will dance my heart out for them.


Rapid fire
Song on my mind - Jeena Jeena
Best dancer in Bollywood – Hrithik Roshan
The dancer I grew up admiring - Michael Jackson
The best dancer in my family - me
Toughest dance performed till date - the one I'm learning now
If I could be someone else for a day I would be? - Donald trump
The Hollywood/Bollywood actor I would want to be paired with in the future - Natalie Portman
After Bigg Boss you are being locked up again, your take? - We are being locked up? Really? Are you sure!