After Priyanka Chopra's Exit, Bharat Director Says Katrina Kaif Is 'Their Best Choice'

Salman Khan welcomed Katrina onboard (Image courtesy: aliabbaszafar)

Team Bharat is 'thankful' to Katrina Kaif for signing the film, director Ali Abbas Zafar told Hindustan Times. Katrina was welcomed onboard by Salman Khan (Bharat's lead star) on Monday evening, two days after Priyanka Chopra dropped out of the project. "We're thankful that we had some time in hand. I think Katrina is our best choice, and I'm thankful that she could accommodate (this film) in the middle of whatever she was doing," Ali Abbas Zafar told Hindustan Times. Ali, who has previously directed Salman and Katrina together in 2017's blockbuster film Tiger Zinda Hai, also added that she had 'liked Bharat's script.'

"Katrina is a very big superstar and I've worked closely with her in two films. I shared the (Bharat) script with her and she liked the role," he said. Apart from Tiger Zinda Hai, Katrina had worked with Ali Abbas Zafar in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan while he directed Salman in Sultan.

Ek sundar aur shusheel ladki jiska Naam hai Katrina Kaif .... Swagat hai aapka #Bharat ki zindagi mein ... pic.twitter.com/XDVyiNCPBI

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 30, 2018

Asked if someone suggested Katrina's name for Bharat? Ali Abbas Zafar told Hindustan Times, "The way Salman sir's and my vision is, we talk about everything. But he leaves the decision to me. Katrina was solely my decision, only for the reason that I've worked with her in two films, and her work was very nice."

Ali Abbas Zafar had announced Priyanka's exit from Bharat via a tweet posted last week. In his tweet, he mentioned that she had dropped out of the film for a 'very special reason' and she told the team in the 'Nick of time.'

Yes Priyanka Chopra is no more part of @Bharat_TheFilm & 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 @priyankachopra loads of love & happiness for life

— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) July 27, 2018

At the same time, international websites reported that Priyanka and Nick had got engaged and he had proposed to her in London. "I haven't given away anything. It's called sense of humour. As I said in my tweet, Priyanka had made a choice, because something very special was coming into her life. With all our heart and happiness and love, we've only wished her happiness," Ali Abbas Zafar told Hindustan Times.

Of Priyanka's exit, he concluded by saying, "It all happened the right way" and team didn't have to "bear any production loss."

Bharat also stars Disha Patani, Nora Fatehi and Tabu. The film is expected to release on Eid 2019.