The end of SRK and Arjun Rampal's friendship?

The Shah Rukh Khan-Arjun Rampal friendship is over, RIP! Rumbles of discontentment have been audible for a long time. We now have it from a very reliable source that Arjun and SRK have completely distanced themselves from one another while their wives continue to be best friends.

At the proposed 40th birthday bash that Arjun's wife Mehr is organizing in Marrackesh on November 29, Shah Rukh will be conspicuous by his absence.

"And not because SRK has other commitments and cannot be at Marrackesh. This is the alibi that's being set forward for SRK's absence at Arjun's party on 29th. But the truth is, Shah Rukh is no more on talking terms with Arjun. Their wives continue to be thick pals. In fact Gauri Khan is on top of Mehr Jessia's guest list for her husband's birthday party," says our source.

Apparently Mrs Shah Rukh Khan has made it clear to Mrs Rampal that Shah Rukh is not attending the 40th birthday party.

The split between the two close friends has caused quite an awkward loyalty-issue among the friends of the two actors. Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan are apparently not attending Arjun's birthday party, because of Abhishek's closeness to Shah Rukh. On the other hand Hrithik and Susanne who are very thick with Arjun and Mehr would be present throughout the celebrations.

Interestingly the girl-gang comprising star-wives Gauri Khan, Susanne Roshan, Mehr Jessia, Chunky Pandey's wife Bhavna and Sanjay Kapoor's wife Maheep continue to form their girls' gang irrespective of the equation among their husbands. Sonali Bhendre who also used to be a part of the star-wives' club has now isolated herself from it.

All the ladies from the exclusive star-wives' clubs are expected to be at Marrackesh for Arjun's big 40th birthday bash on the 29th November, three days' ahead of the actual birth date.With or without their husbands.

Arjun Rampal who will celebrate a working birthday on November 276 in Kutch on location for Nikhil Advani's D Day says he's aware of the birthday bash but unaware of the guest list. "I know Mehr is planning this surprise party for me at Marrackesh which I am not supposed to know about. Who all are coming, I've no clue. I know my wife and daughters will be there."

Arjun heads for Marrackesh on 27 November to attend the film festival where three of his films Rock On, Raajneeti and Chakravyuha are being screened.

Understandably the actor who has lately come into his own, is excited "It would be a mini-festival of my best work and then the party that Mehr is organizing at Marrackesh. But that's a little way off. For the next couple of days I'm shooting some of toughest action scenes I've ever done. Nikhil Advani is shooting on the outskirts of Kutch. The location is about four-hours'drive away from Kutch. And quite gruelling."

About turning 40 Arjun asks, "Is it really meant to be special? That's what people said when I turned 30. But I guess at 40 you begin to make good use of the experiences that you've gathered over the years. Earlier you are just running around trying to find your bearings."