Mumbai, June 24 (IANS) Actor Upen Patel is quite upbeat about teaming up with Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif in Rajkumar Santoshi's next film 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani', even though he doesn't play the lead role.

So what is he doing in a movie that has Ranbir playing the hero?

'It is the love story of Ranbir and Katrina, no two ways about it,' admits Upen. 'But I don't have a flimsy part at all ... No way. I've 40 days of work in the film. I come into the plot like Salman (Khan) in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai',' he said.

'But my main reason for doing the film was of course Raj Santoshi. When he offered me a role I felt ten-feet tall. When I heard the script, I fell in love with my character. No way was I going to miss the chance of being in this film just because another actor had the lead.'

Upen refused to say anything more about the movie because he is under a strict contract not to reveal any details of the plot.

'But the biggest compliment I got was when Rajji said he was making a comedy after 14 years. And if Ranbir is like Aamir (Khan) in 'Andaz Apna Apna', I'm like Salman in that film. The faith that he has shown in me is precious. I'm working hard to live up to his faith,' the actor said.

Upen, who worked with Katrina in 'Namaste London', is pretty sure that the lovely actress would prove lucky for him. 'Katrina and I were in 'Namaste London' together. And look where that film took her,' he remarked.

'We're both Londoners, remember? We were both raw and new when we did 'Namaste London'. Look how lucky she is for her movies. Hope she proves lucky for me as well,' said Upen.