I think that’s the reason why there is an instant youth connect,” Imran said in a press statement. “Not only his songs, but also his personality is youthful and full of verve even today,” he added. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, a Karan Johar production, also features Kareena Kapoor. It is a romantic comedy, and will hit the screens around Valentine’s Day next year.

Sanjay Dutt owns one. As does music mogul Bhushan Kumar. And now, Imran Khan, with six released films and four hits to his credit, has booked the latest model of Ferrari. Mumbai Mirror has discovered that the particular model of the Italian sports car that he has booked would be available only next year and would cost him over Rs 3 crore.

When we got in touch with the actor, his publicist confirmed the news, but refused to divulge further details.

Imran’s parking lot is now a testimony to his passion for hot wheels. Something he shares with the A-listers in the industry. Besides a BMW, which his uncle gifted him in 2008 after his debut, it has a Porsche SUV and a Volkswagen Beetle he gifted his wife last year.

For Imran, the love for Ferrari began on a trip to London. The actor, who was getting a photoshoot done at various heritage locations in the city with photographer Avinash Gowariker fell in love with a vintage model of the car. He in fact, sweet-talked the owner of the car into lending him the car for the shoot.

Earlier this year, while shooting for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, where he had to ride scooters, the actor said in an interview, “From now on, I will only work in films where I have a Ferrari.” Talk about aiming high and well.

Accompanied by Director Kunal Kohli and Frank Khalid, MD of Chak 89, he enjoyed a couple of quiet drinks before mingling and having his picture taken with the very excited diners.

Chak 89 continues to be well known for the famous Bollywood clientele. They often have many famous surprise visitors – you never know who you may bump into next.

Even before he became an actor, he always made time for his buddies, taking off on backpacking trips, usually towards the end of the year. This year, he’s chosen Las Vegas in the USA for his annual holiday because he toured the place in 2010 while shooting for his rom-com with Kareena Kapoor.

“I loved the place. It’s so beautiful and full of life around this time. Every corner of the city is lit up. There’s celebration in the air. The weather is excellent. I think the whole idea of a holiday with guy pals there just works,” says Imran, adding, “Avantika and I will have our own holiday a little later. For now, it’s just the boys. Girls are not allowed.”

Imran admits he had a blast shooting his month-long schedule in the American city last Christmas, soon after which he tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Avantika Mallik. While he was there, he says he explored most of the city with the help of guides and at times, on his own.

After the shoot wrapped up, the actor stayed back for an additional 10 days to pamper himself. He’s keen to take his friends to a couple of nightspots that he liked, popular tourist locations and some pockets of the city that he adores but aren’t exactly big with sightseers.

“I am coaxing my friends to at least spend a week in the city because if they spend any less, they won’t be able to explore much. And no point of a holiday if you don’t have time on hand,” he says. “The last time round, I was new to the place. This time, I’ll be my friends’ Raju guide in the city.”

When a daily visited the first look launch of the film, they were surprised to see the lead actors rating each others butt. Of course, that was a part of the promotion strategy.

Bollywood’s number one actress, Bebo was generous enough to rate 8 out of 10 for Imran’s bum while junior Khan proved to be a miser. All he gave Kareena was a flop 4!

Before making headlines by going size zero for her film `Tashan`, Bebo had made many of her co-star go crazy for her voluptuous body. Fardeen Khan couldn’t refrain from admitting in public that he was a diehard fan of Bebo’s butt.

The two actors seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Talking to reporters during the launch, they said, “The whole film was a great experience. We had so much fun shooting this film.”

Imran, however, is ecstatic about Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, where he will be working with someone he admirers the most. “I’m finally working with Kareena,” he says, adding, “I had a secret crush on Kareena. When director Shakun Batra came to me with the script, he did not have a producer or even the final draft of the script.

He just told me that he wants Kareena to do the role. And I said yes.” Produced by Dharma Productions, the film is slated to release on February 10. Speaking about the Indian film industry, Imran revealed that survival is not very easy in Bollywood.

“Survival in this industry is very difficult. One wrong move and you’ll be written off. So, I’m doing all my bit to ensure that I make all the right moves,” he says.

The actor, married to his college sweetheart Avantika Malik, also believes that unlike popular belief, his female fan following has not dipped post marriage. “An actor’s personal and professional lives are separate. I don’t think getting married or being in a relationship changes the audiences’ love for their stars,” he concludes.

Anand (88) passed away in London yesterday. In his autobiography, Romancing with Life (published by the Penguin Group in 2007), Anand revealed that he wanted the Pakistani cricket star to play the role of a star in decline. Aamir Khan played the up-and-coming cricketer. Imran however didn’t accept the offer from Anand, who then approached actor Aditya Pancholi.

Anand wrote that Imran was speechless when he was first told about the film. “You have bowled me over, Mr Dev Anand. But I don’t think I am a good actor,” said Imran.

Anand made the call from Bangalore and told Imran that he would be on the next available flight to London in order to convince him further.

In London, Imran invited Anand to his flat in Soho. “Imran was hospitable and obliging, a gracious host, warm and friendly, the sign of a great sportsman,” wrote Anand. But Imran “kept harping” on his political ambition. Anand left the script of the film with him and Imran returned it the very next evening with a note that said he wouldn’t be able to take up his offer.

Pancholi, according to Anand, “did a very good job of it.”

“Dev sahab approached me for Awwal Number and I was a little surprised because I was new to the industry. He called me to his office in Navketan and didn’t offer me the film, just told me that I am doing the movie. As we all know, no one can refuse Dev sahab. He told me that Imran Khan was supposed to do the role, but since he couldn’t I have been considered. It was a huge thing for me. Later, I went on to do three films with him,” Pancholi told MiD DAY yesterday.

He added: “Such a charming and polished man ¦ he always brought a smile to everyone’s lips. I still don’t believe he has gone away and surprisingly I am not feeling sad either. He lived his life to the fullest and went away gracefully, just as he spent his entire life.”

Anand also included radio commentator Suresh Saraiya in the film, which was shot at the Cricket Club of India on several occasions.

Imran Khan is one youngster who speaks his mind, especially when it comes to social causes and anything that affects society at large.

Just like Aamir, Imran doesn’t shy away from calling a spade a spade. Just few days after Aamir spoke against The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s recent directive to ban smoking on screen saying, If the Government feels so strongly about smoking, they should ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If the sale is legal, then why attack smoking only in cinema?, Imran has spoken how cinema cannot always be ‘responsible’ to educate the masses.

“Bollywood has time and again made films on topics which are socially relevant and which help in the betterment of the society. Revathy’s ‘Phir Milenge’ addressed the topic of AIDS awareness and HIV. However, it is not our duty to educate people. We are there to entertain. We do take up causes but it is not our responsibility. It is the responsibility of the government, people in charge who should do the needful” said actor Imran Khan.

But why has the title changed from Short Term Shaadi? “That wasn’t even our working title. So, there was no way we could have changed it. Halfway through the movie, I read in the papers that the film’s working title was Short Term Shaadi. That was odd because everyone on the sets knew it wasn’t the case,” Imran says.

Coincidentally, like MBKD, even this film revolves around a wedding. Bring this up and the actor adds, “The previous one was about me finding a bride for my brother, who is perfect as a groom. No girl would ever refuse him and move on to his younger brother. And eventually, it’s to be seen whether the younger brother ends up with her. In this case, my marriage with Kareena (co-star Kareena Kapoor) is just the beginning of the movie. It triggers off the story, which moves into different situations and emotions.”

Considering that the actor has been married for a year to Avantika Mallik, whom he dated for a decade, did he draw inspiration from his real bond for his reel relationship?

“It’s been a year of marriages for me: one real and two reel ones. The time when Avantika and I were in the US, we had started living in together. So, we spent that time trying to understand each other. Today, we know what to expect of the other in a given circumstance,” says Imran, adding, “Similarly, even our characters in EMAET try to figure out each other’s likes, dislikes and ways of thinking. It’s a slice-of-life film with romance and comedy in it. So, having been in a relationship helped me understand the character better, as it’s also the first time I’m playing a married man on screen.”

retained in the film.

For his upcoming, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (EKAET), Imran has shot video blogs where he is talking about the film, introducing characters and showcasing fun bits from the sets for net-surfers.

The videos have already been uploaded on YouTube. In one of the posts, the actor is seen walking around the sets of EKAET, introducing people working in front and behind the camera.

In the third blog post, Imran has captured co-star Kareena Kapoor’s expressions while she is watching the theatrical trailer of their film.

Says Imran, “I had bought a new camera and I was shooting randomly. In the process, I was also talking to people around me. So, it’s turned into a nice video blog. I’m quite excited about it.”

Interestingly, this is not Imran’s first stint behind the camera. The actor, who has delivered back-to-back hits with Delhi Belly and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, worked for some time as a camera operator in the US after graduating from college.

Besides Imran, producer Karan Johar is also thrilled with the result. “Karan loved the idea. Especially since Imran has shot it personally and he has never really done something like this in the past for his films,” says a member of the production unit.

The theatrical trailer of EKAET releases with The Dirty Picture this Friday. The film, which has been directed by Shakun Batra, is a Valentine’s Day release and will see the youngest Khan star opposite Kareena for the first time.