Imran and Ranbir rivalry takes a new turn

Karan Johar's guests at Koffee with Karan may just be singing a different tune in the next season. Early this year when asked to choose between Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan as the hottest future superstar, practically all guests had laid their bets on Ranbir. However the success of DELHI BELLY may just tilt the favour towards Imran. Well, for some time at the least.

'Unlike Ranbir, Imran hasn't enjoyed a fancy journey so far at the box office even though he has been making a steady progress for sure,' says a filmmaker on condition of anonymity, 'Ranbir has been enjoying all the media attention with his high profile projects and an almost spotless record. Even his flops like SAAWARIYA and ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR fetched him critical acclaim. However Imran has been catching up fast as well. After LUCK, KIDNAP and BREAK KE BAAD fiasco, he chose to go slow but steady.'

Bollywood is bonding all right. A few days ago, tongues were set wagging when Ranbir Kapoor landed up at a screening of the Imran Khan-starrer Delhi Belly. But the young Khan insists that he shares a "very cool" relationship with the Kapoor scion.

In fact, he defends Ranbir's Casanova

image, saying, "I feel people take things too seriously. Let him party and date girls. Why are people bent on turning it into a bad thing?" asks Imran (for Ranbir, we presume).

In the past, Ranbir has been linked with fellow actors Sonam Kapoor, Rockstar girl Nargis Fakhri and recently, model Angela Jonsson. He's also openly dated his Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) co-star Deepika Padukone.

Ask Imran, who recently married long-time girlfriend Avantika Malik, if he ever wanted to try the bachelor life and and he shoots back with a laugh, "I don't have the energy to party. I want to be in bed by 11 'o' clock. Go to bed; watch a good film and sleep. That's my idea of partying."

The two young stars have been the subjects of rumours suggesting their friendly competition may not be so amiable after all. But Imran insists the gossip circulating around Ranbir and him is "frustrating and upsetting." He adds, "To Ranbir's credit, he has always given me a call whenever things have become nasty and vice versa. I always give him the benefit of doubt. We talk to each other and clarify things whenever such stories appear in print."

So does he trust his rival completely? "It's basic courtesy. I believe he is a good boy and a superb actor. And if you respect someone, you would offer such courtesy," he says, adding, "You can't let good things go to your head and bad stuff hit your heart. You must look at the bigger picture."

Speaking of big pictures, is talk of him and Ranbir opening a production house together true? "No. We've only talked about doing a film together in a completely new set-up," Imran says with a smile. "So, we had a chat about the film, state of the economy, following a new business model, and a tight budget. And soon, it spiralled into talks of us coming up with a production house."

Friends or foes?
The tension between the two actors first made headlines when Imran's then-fiance, Avantika, apparently made some scathing comments about Ranbir's performance in Raajneeti (2010). Imran clarified the misunderstanding with Ranbir.

Later, reports emerged that a telecom company had opted for Imran as their brand ambassador, passing up on Ranbir, because of the former's 'clean image'.

So happy for Imran. After dehlibilly he is back on the map. He is so humble, he'll go far.

Totally agree with you Shee, yay Imran!!

as an actor ranbir is very gifted but i rly like imran more just becuase of the way he is. i rly hope he sticks to the way he is and doesnt change. i like him being somewhat indifferent and doing his own thing. i hope he works on his acting skills cuz then there in no stopping him

Imran-Ranbir are like Aamir-Sallu of late 80's..though imo Immu much more likeable than Aamir though not as good of an actor..Ranveer Singh is more like Akki..
for now Ranbir>Ranveer>Imran for me,rest future will tell

Shahid similar to Hrithik ..on a totally different league lolz and I totally dont care..NEVER liked these two

I have always loved Sallu still SRK has always been THE BEST in my list..so yea I m still waiting for a new star who is promising enough to match up the calibre of SRK lol

Immu is soo honest and humble, plus a cutie piee<3 he deserves all the success