/> While Kangana and Upen Patel have been shooting for Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom in South Africa reports about their mutual admiration have been filtering back into Mumbai, suggesting a rather rapidly developing warmth between the two.

Upen doesn't deny a special affinity to Kangana. "But that's it! There's nothing beyond a friendship with Kangana," Upen doesn't know whether to be alarmed or amused by the rumours back home.

"I mean Kangana and I get along like a house on fire. She with her Himachal accent, me with my British-Gujju accent, we're quite a pair. But there's nothing more to our friendship. I wish people wouldn't be so provincial in their perceptions on friendships.

Can't two young people have fun without being involved with one another? Kangana and I enjoy one another's company so far away from home. We rib each other constantly. And I suspect my behaviour is being reported back home as flirting. But that's the way I am."

To compound Upen's woes, he has a girlfriend to be answerable to back home. "I'm in a relationship, and this kind of talk can only make matters murky."

But Kangana has another story to tell. "Upen and me? Please! He's just not my type at all. We converse at two different tangents....Rather, HE does all the talking. When Upen talks there's little for anyone else to say. I'm shocked at reports back home that I'm 'impressed' by Upen. Please!

Is he Mr Dilip Kumar or Mr Amitabh Bachchan that"d be impressed? I've better things to do than to get impressed with someone who's just a co-star. I wonder who's spreading these rumours. It's not me because I've nothing to gain from being linked with Upen."

Kangana is certainly implying there's more to the whole Kangana-Upen stories than meets the eye.

She sighs. "Look, I don't act extra-friendly with a co-star when cameras are around. I'm a very frank girl. If I get into a relationship, or even begin to get interested in a boy I'd scream from rooftops. I don't hide my feelings, because I can't.

Upen is just not my type. His dreams, aspirations and method of self-projection are quite different from mine. I can't even connect with his conversation. Given a chance I'd just like to share a professional rapport with him. Honestly I just want to go back home."