He is the boy in an industry full of men. In no hurry to develop a six-pack and pick up the gun, Imran is happy with chocolates for now. “Action is for slightly older guys. Right now I am asked to be in college or just out of it.”

This is exactly what he is doing in his forthcoming film, debutante Shakun Batra's romantic comedy Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, where he is cast opposite Kareena Kapoor. Imran says he is playing a boy who has had a very restricted upbringing. “His parents tell him how he should dress, how he should behave and what he should do. He has led a much regimented life till this girl, Riana, comes into his life. She is vibrant and spontaneous and can do a hundred things. She opens up the world for him or you can say, brings sunshine to his closed world.”

Does the film reflect the new pecking order in society, where girls are sorted and the guys are confused? Earlier in our films, the boys were the ones to bring sunshine into the girls' lives. Imran says he is not sure if the film is trying to say something. “This could well be a reality that director Shakun must have noticed around her. It comes from her experiences.” As an actor, the role came easy to Imran because Rahul is quiet, composed and not very expressive. “In our films expressions are mostly exaggerated. I don't like that. I like roles where you don't need to over emote and like to work with directors who allow you to say things with a straight face,” says Imran. Till date he has worked with mostly first-time directors. Imran calls it a matter of chance but adds that he has worked with people who speak his language. “I like to be on the same page as my director.”

Over the years alcohol has played outlandish tricks with Hindi film protagonists. Often people forget the ‘sins' they committed in an inebriated state and it becomes an excuse to save the character! The promos of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu also suggest that alcohol has once again a role to play. Imran agrees with both the observations but also points out that most of our films are made for entertainment. “I don't know how much of an impact alcohol can make in real life but I do know if such scenes are competently carried out they have their entertainment value.”

Refuting the film is inspired by What Happens In Vegas, Imran says the only similarity is that the first half of the film unfolds in Las Vegas. So, it has become a trend to shoot a portion of the film abroad? Imran's Break Ke Baad's second half was set in Australia when it could have been easily set in any other Indian city. Does he find some sense in it because most times we can see it is just about promoting tourism in some country? “I can't comment on it as it is a director's prerogative. My job is to concentrate on my character. I can't be asking questions about shooting locations,” he replies.

He has been paired with Kareena, a senior to him in the industry, for the first time and Imran says she didn't bring her stardom to the sets. “I found her very relaxed with her success.” Are there any chances of her overshadowing him in the film? “We were out to realise Shakun's vision. I sign a film when the subject and the character excite me. When you have co-star like Kareena who sets a high standard, you feel driven.” But these are time-tested formulas to realise a hero's worth. Another is successful solo-hero films which are missing from his repertoire but Imran says he doesn't like to go by any formula.

On the competition with Ranbir Kapoor, Imran says, “His success or failure is not going to affect my career. So I am not bothered about it.” But is he getting the roles that should come his way? Imran says if in a year one has a path breaking film like Delhi Belly and is cast by a director like Vishal Bhardwaj, one should have nothing to complain. Tight lipped about Vishal's Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola, Imran only shares that he is learning the Haryanvi accent for the film and that the shooting will start after the release of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu's release.

There is a point of view that now when the industry has enough actors from the Northern belt, the Bombay boys need not be cast in films which require regional flavour. Does it make his task even more challenging? “It is up to the creative vision of the director. If Vishalji feels I can do justice to the role, I should believe in him. Isn't it great that so many kinds of films are being made today? The critics should wait till the release of the film.” Anyway, Imran adds, he is not too concerned about the opinion of the critic. “After all, the critic buys just one ticket.”