New enemies: Imran & Ranbir

Once dear friends, the two young actors are embroiled in a heated battle for chunks of B’wood & advertising pie

The newest rivalry is between Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan. While Ranbir has made his mark as an actor, Imran is making waves as a charmer.

Our source said, "When there are two actors eyeing the same position then there are bound to be problems.

However the friendship between the two was too good to be true. Initially the first friction took place when Imran's now wife and then fiancée made some comments about Ranbir while watching Rajneeti.

However Imran picked up the phone and clarified everything and all was okay. Both the friends were so close to each other that they had also decided to start a production house; they were in talks with Imtiaz Ali to make a film with them.

However the production house did not materialise as both got busy with their respective careers. It was Imran who started on a high note with a superhit in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, while Ranbir had a flop film in Saawaria.

However they both have always been considered 'youngsters to watch out for'. Imran suffered a setback with a couple of flops like Luck and Kidnap while Ranbir did some good work in semi hits Bachna Ae Haseeno, Wake Up Sid and Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year, the latter failing to even get a decent opening.

Ranbir got his first big hit via Raajneeti where he was also praised as an actor. Imran then got a huge hit with I Hate Luv Storys. The comparisons were clear. While Ranbir was known as an actor, Imran made his mark as a charmer."

The source further said, "The friendship was growing and both of them even hosted the recently-concluded Filmfare Awards. Ranbir even attended Imran's marriage party which was thrown by Aamir and everything seemed fine.

However the biggest trigger was by a newspaper report which said that Ranbir was passing on all his rejected brands to Imran. The shocking part for Imran was that normally Ranbir calls him up to clarify.

However in this case Ranbir did not and Imran was not at all happy. In many earlier instances, both Imran and Ranbir have been very particular to pick up the phone and clarify things as they did not want their friendship to suffer at all.

However after the article, a series of articles followed from both ends making it very clear that both of them were out to outdo each other. While both the parties concerned are of the opinion that they do not have any issues with each other, there definitely seems to be something more than what meets the eye."

The source further said, "Another thing that worked against Ranbir was that while Imran was gaining popularity among his co-stars, be it Kareena, Katrina or Sonam, Ranbir was unfortunately linked to them.

Imran in turns is every heroine’s favourte co-star.” Let’s see who races ahead, with Ranbir having Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar and Anurag Basu's Barfee, while Imran has Delhi Belly, Short Term Shaadi and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Clearly the heat is on…