Katrina Had Told Me She Will Find Some Way To Be Part Of Bharat: Ali Abbas Zafar
Bharat director Ali Abbas Zafar talks about Priyanka Chopra’s exit from the film, Katrina’s entry and clears the air about Salman Khan being upset with the Desi Girl
Ali Abbas
Zafar-directed Bharat has been making headlines ever since it was announced.
And why not? Ali and Salman Khan are returning after their last blockbuster –
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Priyanka Chopra was all set to make a comeback to
Bollywood with the venture. However, as things turned out, PeeCee couldn’t
be a part of the film and bowed out, after which Katrina Kaif replaced the
actress.
When asked if he
felt let down when Priyanka exited the film, Ali told Bombay Times, “She is a
dear friend, so I can’t feel hurt or angry with her. Priyanka also came with
very valid reasons and I couldn’t say no to them. Acting and directing is our
profession. Whatever is beyond that is our personal life. Somebody who is part
of the fraternity needs to value your professional as well as your personal
life.”
Katrina Kaif With Ali Abbas Zafar Pose For A Selfie
He added, “We
can’t be insensitive and I am not that kind of a person. I understood her point
and where she was coming from. Obviously, I was unnerved and then I had a
couple of sleepless nights. But eventually, whatever happens is for the best.
Katrina’s presence in the film is a big plus. It’s bizarre, but let me share
this. When we finished Tiger Zinda Hai, Katrina smiled and told me that I am
going to miss her on my next film. At that time, I was quite clear that
Priyanka is going to do Bharat. Katrina laughed and told me that she will find
some way to be a part of the film. Now she is a part of Bharat, so maybe it was
destiny.”
Soon after
Priyanka exited Bharat, there was buzz that Salman is upset with her. It was
also said that Ali had put his neck out to cast her but he was left in the
lurch. Rubbishing these reports, the director said, “People will only talk
about such a film because they know that it will snowball into a big story. A
lot is being written about Bharat, even the fact that I shot a song with twenty
dancers or five hundred dancers becomes news. I guess when al ad actress moves
on from a film because of professional or personal reasons; it makes for a big
story. This is my third film with Salman and my relationship with him is like
that of a younger brother."
He also stated,
"He has always let me take my own decisions when it comes to casting. I
share my thoughts with him because of the sheer experience that he comes with.
I cross-check things with him. In fact, I do it with other actors as well. I
will hear what he says, but the final call is always mine. I don't think we are
so shallow that we will be angry with someone or term them unprofessional. When
people don't know about the real story, they tend to interpret it in their own
way. The decisions taken were solely mine. All the stories that have been doing
the rounds are completely baseless. There is no bad blood between any of
us."
Image Source: instagram/katrinakaif mumbailive
