Imran Khan stealing Ranbir Kapoor's 'gay icon' crown?

The simmering Imran Khan-Ranbir Kapoor rivalry may flare up once again and set the mercury soaring in B-Town, as the Delhi Belly actor has now entered the RK scion’s domain. Imran has made it to the cover of a gay magazine apparently making him the first actor to feature in one.

So far, it was Ranbir who was looked upon as the ultimate gay icon, apart from John Abraham in his Dostana avatar. But this development may tilt the scales in Imran’s favour as now it’s he who’s being pitched as the next gay icon, what was originally Ranbir’s card. And like Ranbir, Imran too has admitted that he takes it as a compliment and such tags are flattering. As for beating Ranbir on what was so far considered his turf, a source says that Imran has never looked at it as competition. Incidentally, both Ranbir and Imran have admitted to being supporters of the gay rights.

As for their own chemistry, while the two actors have always laughed off their blow-hot-blow-cold vibes, insiders reveal that it’s always been a friends-by-far situation. “Sure they are most cordial when they meet up or rather run into each other at public events, but to be honest neither is particularly fond of each other. But it’s understandable. They are professional rivals after all and it’s very difficult to keep personal relationships friendly then,” says an insider.

This year the actors are in a tagdi takkar with each other at the BO too. “Comparisons between the two are inevitable. Imran’s riding high on Delhi Belly and has two big films to bank on, while Ranbir is also looking forward to Rockstar and Barfee. It’ll be interesting to watch the two,” adds an industrywallah.