/> If reports are to be believed Vipul Shah and Suneel Darshan are at loggerheads over their protégé Upen Patel.

Apparently Suneel in whose Shakala Laka Boom Boom Upen plays a lead, advised the young wannabe from doing Vipul's Namaste London.

Suneel denies the charge outright. "I've better things to do than to involve myself with what films Upen is doing. Upen does come to me for advice. When he does I tell what's right."

Says Vipul Shah, "I can't imagine why Suneel Darshan would warn Upen against doing my film. If Suneel wishes Upen well, as I'm sure he does, he'd see Namaste London as a big step ahead for Upen."

Upen who's currently shooting in South Africa for Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom fumes at the so-called tug-o-war. "This is sick. I'm being made out into this prized toy that two directors are fighting over. Come on, both Vipul and Suneel are mature movie makers.

The last thing they'd do is to battle it out over a new actor. And for what? Suneel does guide me. But so does Vipul. I look up to both the directors. Since they've been in the movie business long enough I do seek their guidance.

But finally I take my own decisions, always have from the time I was a model. In fact I've been on my own in Mumbai away from my family in London for so many years. I can find my way, thanks."

The self-confidence is corroborated by the assignments. "Both Suneel's and Vipul's films are on the verge of completion, I don't know which one will release first. In both I've strong roles with established actors like Bobby Deol and Akshay Kumar.

I think for a newcomer like me to be noticed I need to be seen with actors who have a track-record. I've signed films with Venus, Tips and Ramesh Sippy. But for now Suneel and Vipul's films will decide my future."

There were reports of Upen hero-worshipping Akshay Kumar, "I don't hero-worship anyone," he's quick to retort. "But if I've to single out one icon in this country, it'd have to be Mr Amitabh Bachchan, and no one else."

Upen brightens up at the mention of his Shaka Laka Boom Boom co-star Kangana. "She takes every scene to another level. Kangana is phenomenal...absolutely unbelievable. I get to learn so much from her. I'd definitely like to do more films with her."

In real life Upen is once again single, but not ready to mingle. "I guess I'm unlucky in love. But my work is my support and therapy. I want no distractions. Nothing will come between me and career."

After having his voice dubbed in his debut film 36 Chinatown Upen is looking forward to dubbing his own lines in his next two films. "Vipul has promised me that I can dub my own lines. I'm working on my Hindi and Urdu diction. Yeah, I think I'm doing well for myself."