‘Bharat’ producer calls Priyanka Chopra ‘uprofessional’ for backing out

While there has been no official confirmation from the couple themselves, rumours are alight that Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have put a ring on it and have gotten engaged last week on the occasion of Chopra’s birthday. Because of this new development in the Bollywood diva’s life, she has backed out of her Bollywood comeback, Bharat, which has already gone on floors.

Bharat’s director, Ali Abbas Zafar, shared the news of Priyanka’s departure from the film on Twitter, hinting at the possibility of an engagement and wishing the actor luck, sending the rumour mills into overdrive.

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

However, this has left the film without a leading lady, and while the search is currently ongoing, it has been reported that one of the producers on the project has called Priyanka unprofessional for leaving the film.

Nikhil Namit, CEO of Reel Life Productions, stated that he was not at all happy. “Priyanka told us she had to exit due to her engagement, a few days ago. It was a little unprofessional of her to do it so suddenly,” he told Mid-Day.

Nonetheless, the search for a new heroine is underway and the director in a tweet shared, “Yes yes yes … We will announce the leading lady of Bharat soon. We have been shooting non-stop and simultaneously preparing for international schedules.”

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 ….

— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) July 28, 2018

It was also reported that the film’s lead star, Salman Khan is now in hyperdrive to find Priyanka’s replacement for the film and that Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez seem to be the most likely choices.

Meanwhile, another report suggested that Priyanka’s engagement was not the reason for her exit from the film considering she is still going ahead with The Sky is Pink alongside Farhan Akhtar. The report states that Priyanka was dissatisfied with her role in the film and was not happy with the new actors coming on board which is why she decided to drop the project.

Quoting a source, the report said, “Initially, she was very happy about her role as Priyanka is there right from the beginning to the end as the film is about a couple who fall in love, get married and grow old together as their life keeps coming in flashbacks. But while Priyanka was in the US, she kept getting news about other actors getting added to the cast.”

It added, “First came Disha Patani (and her role was increased), then Tabu and Nora Fatehi had roles specially created for them. Apparently, Salman is taking the call for these roles so Priyanka feared that she might get sidelined by them.”

The film, an official adaptation of a 2014 South Korean film Ode To My Father, is being produced by Atul Agnihotri’s Reel Life Production Pvt Ltd and Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series.

Bharat, which will be shot across locations in Abu Dhabi and Spain, besides Punjab and Delhi, is slated for an Eid release in 2019.