Daily Times

Bollywood actor and one of the Indian film industry’s top earner Salman Khan is always in the news, whether it be for his films or other exploits. But the press that his upcoming fim ‘Bharat’ has been getting since Friday is for an entirely different reason – Priyanka Chopra.

Chopra had to leave the film ostensibly to get married to Nick Jonas and the search for her replacement after the film began its shoot. Well, the search ends now and Bharat’s new leading lady is Katrina Kaif, confirmed film’s director Ali Abbas Zafar.

Katrina will star opposite Salman in ‘Bharat’ and will begin shooting for the film in September. Salman and Katrina have worked in many films earlier including the highly successful ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ and ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ as well as films such as ‘Partner,’ ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya’ and many more. Ali Abbas had directed the duo in ‘Tiger Zinda Hai.’ Salman and Katrina make for one of the most beloved Bollywood jodis and their fans will be over the moon with the ‘Bharat’ announcement. The duo also performed on Dabangg tour recently.

The Bharat director said, “I am extremely excited to work with Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan once again for Bharat. We have had exciting collaborations in the past and it is very interesting to work with the duo once again. It is very delightful to work with the immensely talented actress yet again.” The film has already begun the first schedule including a grand circus sequence featuring Salman and Disha Patani.

On Friday morning, Ali had confirmed that Chopra had quit ‘Bharat’ with a rather interesting tweet. He wrote, “Yes Priyanka Chopra is no more part of Bharat the film and the reason is very very special, she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her. Team Bharat wishes Priyanka Chopra loads of love and happiness for life.” Later in the day, People magazine confirmed Chopra and her boyfriend Nick Jonas are indeed engaged.

While Salman’s father Salim Khan and Ali were at pains to say that they have nothing against the ‘Quantico’ star for leaving ‘Bharat,’ the CEO of Reel Life Productions, Nikhil Namit, who’s producing the film, called the actor unprofessional. “Priyanka told us she had to exit due to her engagement, two days ago. It was a little unprofessional of her to do it so suddenly,” he was quoted as saying in Mid-Day.

Over the weekend, Ali had tweeted that the film’s new leading lady will be announced soon. “Yes yes yes … we will announce the leading lady of Bharat soon.. We have been shooting non-stop and the simultaneously preparing for international schedules,” he tweeted on Saturday morning. ‘Bharat’ went on floors earlier this month with the first schedule being that of a pivotal circus sequence. Salman Khan’s ‘Bharat’ also stars Disha Patani, Tabu and Nora Fatehi.

The film will feature Salman Khan sporting five different looks and will span over 60 years. Salman Khan’s Karan-Arjun look will be recreated for the film. ‘Bharat’ will be shot in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. Bharat, produced by Atul Agnihotri’s Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series, will release on Eid 2019.

Published in Daily Times, July 31^st 2018.