From Brent to Bollywood

Upen Patel led the life of a typical teenager in Wembley. Now 24, he lives 5,000 miles from his home town in Mumbai, where his face adorns billboards across the city.

He said: "If you'd said to me, even five years ago, that I was going to end up a star in India I'd have said, 'No way.' Now my face is everywhere and I can't walk down the street in that country."

Patel has picked up several industry awards, was ranked one of India's 50 most beautiful people by Hi Blitz magazine, and even has his own cookery shown on Indian TV. On Friday his latest film, Shakalaka Boom Boom, is released.

Now he hopes he can be the kind of role model British Asian children lacked when he was growing up.

"As a kid I didn't have any Indian footballers or actors to look up to," said the former Wembley High School pupil, who recently visited another local school, Barham Primary.

"I had to look to Bollywood for my role models. Then when I went there I stood out because I spoke in a different way, I dressed differently, I even walked in a different way. I was a London kid and I think the Bollywood fans really liked that.

"That's why it's so good I'm now getting support from the Asian community in Britain. They seem really proud of me and that makes me really proud of myself."

Patel's break came during a trip to Brent Cross shopping centre in 2002. After being spotted by a fashion photographer he was offered a trip to model at Indian Fashion Week. He completed his computer science degree at Hertfordshire University and found himself in Mumbai, in minor film roles, then won a starring part in Namastey London, now in British cinemas.

Patel, in Britain for a publicity tour, said: "I was a kid with a normal life in Wembley. I was playing football, in and out of trouble, I had a few girlfriends. I liked hanging out and partying.

"At school I loved taking part in shows and theatre but I never dreamed I'd end up a star in India. To me, it's unreal. I came to this place from my hometown with nothing. I had no clue what would happen."

His mother Kam, a local government lawyer, said: "I always believed he'd make it big because he knew he would have to work hard. When he started thinking of Bollywood he told me he had to go there and learn the language. That's not easy. When I went to see him I was amazed how hard he was working on his language and dancing. He was so busy he hardly had time to see me.

"At school he'd get involved in plays and musicals and at home he'd do his Michael Jackson impersonation. Now it's amazing to think he's got fans in London and India."

Patel is up for the best newcomer prize at the International Indian Film Academy Awards - Bollywood's Oscars - in Sheffield in June.