Upen Patel to be grand marshal at LA Independence Day parade

Mumbai, Aug 5 (IANS) Britain-born actor Upen Patel is disappointed his voice was dubbed in the recent comedy "Money Hai Toh Honey Hai", but he still has reason to cheer - he is all set to be grand marshal at India's Independence Day parade in Los Angeles.

Asked about his voice being dubbed once again after "One Two Three", Upen said: "The producer would be the best person to answer why my voice was dubbed. I don't want to create any issues. I'd rather talk about my trip to Los Angeles where I've been invited to serve as grand marshal at the Independence Day parade on Aug 10."

He is perhaps the first male grand marshal from Bollywood at the parade.

"I believe Bipasha Basu and other Bollywood queens got the honour earlier. So I'm quite delighted," the actor told IANS.

Upen has another source of delight - the house he is building on Pali Hill in Bandra here. The entire space is being designed and decorated on the Internet by Eric Mutheza, a designer from Dubai.

"He never personally came down to look at my place. I gave him design specifications on email and he instructed his assistants in Mumbai to do the needful. But it's turned out beautifully," Upen said.

It looks like long-distance relationships are Upen's destiny. His Brazilian girlfriend Camilla Tavares lives and works in Italy. And they hardly get the chance to connect.

"In fact, Upen and Camilla have hardly had time together since they got involved. They did get attracted to each other. But after that she has been busy in Italy and he in Mumbai. In fact, she has been down in Mumbai only once," said an informed source.

"Even now Upen plans to return from LA in August via London to visit his family. But he has no plans of meeting Camilla in Italy," the source added.

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Money Hai Toh Honey Hai