Upen Patel's tweet hinting at trouble in his relationship with girlfriend Karishma Tanna created a stir. His post at 11.03 pm on May 6 read, '2 much has come 2 light & shown its true colours. love is never easy and when a certain foundation is broken it's impossible 2 move forward.' However, a day later, Upen told us that all was fine between Karishma and him. He says, “It's not a break-up. Every relationship goes through ups and downs. We definitely love each other, but at the moment, we are not in a good space. And hence, we have decided to take time apart from each other and evaluate our relationship. We love each other, but this is a tough time for us. We hope to get through this phase and get back together. We are trying to work out our differences and come back stronger.“

Many felt that it was just a publicity gimmick. “It's insulting when people feel we are faking it. I have been in the industry for long and don't have to stoop so low for publicity. Also, the woman (Karishma) we are talking about is an Indian woman. Do you think she has been faking a relationship with me?“ They began dating in Bigg Boss (2014) and ever since detractors have been casting aspersions on their relationship by calling it a reality-show affair. He retaliates, “We are not here to prove anything to anybody. As public figures, our personal life is always under scrutiny, but we are more concerned about our feelings and families. What people say is immaterial and I don't really care about it.“

Ask him if contrary to what cynics feel, he believes this relationship is for keeps and he replies, “Two people will find a way, if they want to be together. I believe in love.“