Lara Dutta and Dino Morea inching closer

Though Dino Morea and Lara Dutta have been spotted at parties together after Lara's break-up with Kelly Dorje, the couple has never spoken about their feelings for each other. Last week, though Lara brought their close friendship into further speculation when she spoke about waiting for a 10-carat ring before she commits to any relationship. When we quiz Dino about Lara's remarks ('Dino and I have known each other forever... If a10-carat rock is offered to me, we'll see') he laughs, "I guess any girl who gets a 10-carat diamond ring will be a happy girl!"

Would he give it to his girl to keep her happy? "When I am in love, I don't mind giving my girl anything, as long as I can afford it! I love giving gifts, presenting letters and cards. I'm a die-hard romantic," says the Sagittarian Dino. Dino is especially excited about writing letters today as he's been gifted an Expensive Mont Blanc pen by a 'special friend'. He refuses to disclose who it is and adds, "I love ink pens so I was thrilled when someone gifted it to me."

Is he single and ready to mingle today? "All I would like to say is that I am not ready to mingle right now." And is that because of a certain sexy actress called Lara Dutta? Dino laughs, "I do not want to comment on that." What does Lara mean to him? "I can definitely say that Lara is very close and dear to me."

But it isn't Lara but Kareena Kapoor on his wish list for his launch film under his production house Clock-work Films next year, based on an adaptation of a play directed by UK-based Pravesh Kumar, "Bebo's a dear friend, but I haven't spoken to her about the film." What about the possibility of Lara doing the film? "You will have to talk to my director regarding that. We have a wish list of four actresses. Kareena is on my director's hit list. He feels she suits the character perfectly."

Dino has just returned from Bangkok after wrapping up a shoot for Karzzzz. Last week, he performed instead of Arjun Rampal at the EMI music release. "A day before the event, they asked me to perform, as Arjun opted out because of his dad's illness. The EMI producers called my manager and he said I would step in if I was given the right price. I was paid a very good amount to perform, so I did." Dino's next release is Heroes directed by Sameer Karnik. In which he plays an army officer Lt Col Sahil Naqvi. "We had great fun traveling on bikes and visiting monasteries", the actor concludes.