How can I take money from Aamir after all that he has done for me? He did far more for me and 'Jaane Tu..' than any producer could. No, I can't charge him. Besides, 'Delhi Belly' is a niche English-language film. The budget is limited.

'Will I charge him for my next film with him? It'll depend on what it is.'

Imran was never offered Kiran Rao's 'Dhobi Ghat'. 'I wasn't even considered. I don't even know the story.'

Unblinkingly forthright Imran admits his second release 'Kidnap' was a disappointment.

'I had a blast doing 'Kidnap'. But strangely the people around me were a lot more affected by its failure than me. From the day I became an actor I prepared for my career to be a rollercoaster ride. You can't count on successes all the time.

'Anyone who has spent a long time in this business had better come to terms with the vagaries of the box office. One day you're up there. The next day...pow! You can't take failures to heart.'

'Look at the heroes who came before me. Hrithik Roshan went through some major debacles after his first success. And look at where he's today. It happened to Aamir, Shahid, Salman...I'm prepared to go through the grind.'

So far Imran has signed nothing after 'Delhi Belly'.

'My primary criterion is the script. The money comes much later. In any case those outrageous multi-film deals between corporate houses and actors are over. At this point I haven't signed anything because nothing excites me. I finish 'Delhi Belly', then complete 'Luck'.'

After 'Luck' Imran would be happy to wait it out for the next project.

'I'd love to do a rom-com. I'm being offered hardcore action films. They're very tiring to do. If nothing interesting comes up I'd be happy to take a holiday. Marriage? No plans yet. Avantika and I have been together for over six years. We're very clear about our relationship. But neither of us discusses marriage. We're happy being together.'

Imran's thoughts on 2009?

'2008 was the most exciting year of my life. I look back and say, 'Wow!' In six months after 'Jaane Tu...' so much has changed. I feel I've grown up by a couple of years. As for Abbas Tyrewala's next I don't even know what the story is. I don't have to be in everything he makes. But we're still in touch.'