Enlarge Image
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 19, 2016)

Enlarge ImageKatrina Kaif has not only lost the love of her life, she has also lost her closest friend in Mumbai. By staying away from Katrina’s birthday party, filmmaker Ayan Mukerji, who was close to both Ranbir and Katrina, made his loyalty crystal clear, thereby putting a closure on all the hurt and protestation that Ayan paraded every time he was asked if he was still friends with Katrina.

Says a source close to the couple, “There was never any question of divided loyalties. Ayan is first and foremost Ranbir’s best friend and confidante. He met Katrina through Ranbir and became close to her. In fact, Ayan wrote Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani for Ranbir and Katrina. She refused, because at that point of time she did not want her personal equation with Ranbir to spill into the professional space. All through their relationship, Ayan was a mediator and a confidante. When the relationship ended he had no choice, but to pitch his tent in Ranbir’s backyard. Not only are they best friends, Ranbir is also the leading man in Ayan’s next.What choice does he have?”

For Katrina, the birthday party on Friday was significant. Since her birthday party in 2008, where Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan had that scrap, Kat has spent all her birthdays in London. She has never before hosted a party for her birthday or otherwise.