Frantic attempts to patch up between Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan

The cold war between Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, escalated by the former being played by Ranbir Kapoor in a biopic, refuses to simmer down.

Now mutual friends of the two actors are very worried about the situation. "They are very similar individuals and therefore get hurt about the same things. We all thought the cold war would calm down after some time. But neither Bhai (Salman Khan) nor Baba (Sanjay Dutt) is willing to budge. Basically, Bhai wants anyone but Ranbir to play Sanjay Dutt. But, Baba adores Ranbir and won't change his mind," says a common friend of the two superstars.

For those who came in late, Salman Khan's aversion to all things Ranbir are traceable to his behaviour with Katrina Kaif. Matters have gotten so messy between Dutt and Salman that the two refuse to be seen at any public event together.

Says a friend, "If Salman comes to know that Sanjay Dutt is attending an event he refuses to attend, and vice-versa." Mutual friends are now trying to work out a rapprochement between the two warring stars.

Says the friend, "Salman needs to understand that Sanjay won't change his mind about Ranbir playing him on screen."