Ceremony will be held in Karjat on January 8. Informal invites have already been sent out

To coincide with the Diwali festivities over the weekend, informal invitations began being extended for Imran Khan's marriage to Avantika Malik.

The actor ties the knot with his fiancee on January 8 at Karjat where the Maliks have a farmhouse. The couple was engaged at the same location on January 15 this year.

In dinon ki baat...

Says a source, "Though it is exactly two months away, the preparations are in full swing. Those on the guest list were sent SMSes or told on the phone to keep themselves free on January 8 from 5 pm to 5am.

The message stated that a formal invite the wedding card would follow later."

Adds the source, "As it was Diwali, it was considered an auspicious time to start with the invitations.

The Maliks have been telling all those on the guest list to keep themselves free on the day. They are planning a dusk to dawn bash for the wedding."

Aamir Khan's nephew's engagement began with a brunch, followed by the ceremony and dinner in the evening. As a special gift for the occasion, Imran had gifted Avantika a Volkswagen Beetle.

The engagement invitation was in the shape of a metal box that contained a bottle full of sand. The invite has been rolled into the bottle.

Ahead of the engagement, Avantika's parents Ranjiv and Vandana Malik (who is head of Studio 18) shifted home from Perry Cross Road to Carter Road, Bandra.

Un dinon ki baat...

Ever since his Bollywood debut in 2008 with Jaane Tu, Imran has always been open about his relationship with Avantika.

In July 2009, Imran had thrown a surprise party for his girl on her birthday with only family and close friends present. There, he surprised everyone by proposing to her.

Later, at Arjun Rampal's nightclub opening in New Delhi, where Imran and Avantika were among the guests, a toast was raised to them.