Katrina Kaif REPLACES Priyanka Chopra in 'Bharat'; to start shoot in September?

Ever since Priyanka Chopra walked out of Salman Khan’s ‘Bharat’ due to her engagement with Nick Jonas, speculations over the film’s new leading lady have been rife. The film’s director Ali Abbas Zafar had said on Twitter that the team would announce the name of the new female lead of ‘Bharat’ soon. Names like Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandes, and Kareena Kapoor Khan were floating in the media as PeeCee’s replacement. As per the latest buzz, the makers of the film have gone back to their first choice-Katrina. A report in a leading daily suggested that Bharat’s producers Atul Agnihotri and his wife Alvira share a close relationship with the ‘Zero’ actress and when Priyanka left the film, they called her and sorted out her dates. Kat will now play the female lead opposite the Dus Ka Dum 3 host. “Producers Atul and Alvira Agnihotri share a warm relationship with Katrina Kaif and when this whole mishap happened, they just called her and sorted out her dates. She will play the lead opposite Salman Khan now,” a source told DNA. Interestingly, Salman and Katrina have worked in several films like ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, ‘Maine Pyaar Kyu Kiya’ and ‘Yuvraaj’ and are known for their sizzling chemistry. Their last film together- ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, which was directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, broke several records at the box office. (Salman and Katrina in a still from 'Tiger Zinda Hai', source- Twitter) The report also added that Kareena was also in the contention to star opposite Salman; but she has already allotted her dates to another film. Katrina is expected to start shooting for ‘Bharat’ from September and the ‘Bang Bang’ actress will complete all her work commitments before she commences shoot for the film. “Katrina will join the team September onwards, and before that, she will finish all her other work commitments,” the source further told the daily. On the professional front, Kat will be next seen in ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ and ‘Zero’. The Bollywood diva is reuniting with Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for the two films. (Source- Instagram) Talking about Priyanka, the ‘Quantico’ actress has kick-started the shoot for Shonali Bose’s ‘The Sky Is Pink’, which also features Farhan Akhar and Zaira Wasim. One of the producers of ‘Bharat’ had expressed his displeasure at Priyanka’s exit from the film and called her unprofessional. Gossip mills are also buzzing with the rumours that Priyanka had a clause where she didn’t wish to share the film’s poster with co-star Disha Patani. ‘Bharat’, which is the Hindi adaption of South Korean film ‘Ode to my Father’, will hit the silver screens next year on Eid. Are you excited to see Katrina Kaif opposite Salman Khan in ‘Bharat’? Tell us in the comments section below.