Model-turned-actor Upen Patel will be seen in the eighth edition of reality show, Bigg Boss. He has featured in movies like 36 China Town (2006), Namastey London (2007) and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009). The UK-bred actor, who was in the past linked with a couple of Bollywood actresses, has been missing in action for quite some time. Says a source associated with the show, “ A lot of names are doing the rounds, including Nausheen Ali Sardar, Karishma Tanna, Gaurav Chopraa and Narayani Shastri. Upen has signed on the dotted line."

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Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2014)

The first contestant for Bigg Boss Season 8 has been locked. And contrary to rumours, it's not Ameesha Patel but Upen Patel.

You may well ask Upen who? Well, this Patel appeared in many music videos, including the remix of the classic Bollywood song Kya khoob lagti ho, which also featured Udita Goswami.

He flagged off his Bollywood career in 2006 with 36 China Town and Namastey London, followed by the box-office dud, Shakalaka Boom Boom. He also went unnoticed in Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani.

More than his film, Upen is remembered for the fight in the swimming pool with model Shamita Singha. And that's perhaps what got him the show. "The broadcasters of the show are always on the prowl for contestants who are on a shortfuse," pointed out a source.

Upen remained unavailable for comment but Ameesha who had been caught up in this Patel mix-up, shot back, "I wouldn't do Bigg Boss even for Rs 100 crores. Currently, I am busy with my film Desi Magic and another project." 

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Gaurav Dubey & Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 12, 2014)

Bigg Boss is known to be the hotbed of controversies and every season, this reality show succeeds in grabbing eyeballs. This time around too, the show’s makers seems to be on the lookout for celebs who will promise a regular dose of debate and wrangle.

Says a source, “This year, there’s a change in the timing of the show and it will now be aired at 10.30pm as it will replace the TV soap, Uttran. Also, the new Big Boss house will be located at Karjat and not Lonavala, as Salman is busy shooting in Karjat for his upcoming film. As far as Sangeeta Bijlani’s participation is concerned, both the actress and the channel have agreed on the same, but Salman will take the final call on this. The creative team is expected to meet Salman and finalise the list of contestants with him on August 15.”

Some of the contestants in the running for this season are Gurmeet Choudhary and wife Debina Bonnerjee (right), Shiney Ahuja, RJ Malishka, Ranvir Shorey, TV actors Shweta Salve (above, right), Rati Pandey and Mohit Malhotra (above, left), and politician Kumar Vishwas. “Gaurav Chopraa too is likely to be a part of the show. But it seems that the makers of Bigg Boss want him as a contestant only if Mouni Roy agrees to come on board. The two actors were in a relationship sometime back and the makers want their presence to up the drama quotient of the show,” says a source.

In the meantime…
It is being said that Rohit Shetty, who hosted Khatron Ke Khiladi last season for the same channel that airs Bigg Boss, has now been approached to direct special promos for the latter show. Says a source, “The channel is willing to spend lavishly for the promos of the upcoming season of Bigg Boss. The creative team has asked Rohit to come down and direct special promos in Bangkok. On his part, the director has apparently asked the production house to wait for a couple of days as his film, Singham Returns, will hit the big screen this Independence Day. Post the release of his film, he will fly to Bangkok to shoot the promos.” Rohit and the channel’s spokesperson were unavailable for comment.

- Sonali Joshi Pitale