Priyanka Chopra’s exit from Salman Khan’s ‘Bharat’ created quite a stir in the circles of Bollywood. The film’s director Ali Abbas Zafar had hinted that the ‘Quantico’ actress walked out of the film owing to her engagement with Nick Jonas. PeeCee and the ‘Jealous’ singer eventually got engaged and even had a roka ceremony in Mumbai. The makers of ‘Bharat’ roped in Katrina Kaif as the last-minute replacement and the Bigg Boss 12 host introduced the ‘Zero’ actress in his own style.

Speculations were rife that Salman was apparently miffed with Priyanka for walking out of the film. However, the ‘Race 3’ actor made it clear at the Bigg Boss 12 press conference that he holds no grudge against the ‘Bajirao Mastani’ actress.

The ‘Dabangg’ actor, while talking to a leading daily, talked about how Priyanka was keen to work with him and he even convinced her to balance it out between her wedding with Nick Jonas and Bharat’s shoot.

"She (Priyanka) had a reason to do that. It's just that the project got stuck. Had we known earlier, we could have worked it out better. She was getting engaged and I told her, 'If you are getting engaged, what's the need (of exiting the project)?' Then she said, 'Shaadi karni hai' to which I said 'Toh shaadi kar lo'," Salman told Times Of India.

Salman & Priyanka in 'Salaam-e-Ishq' (Photo: Web)

The Dus Ka Dum 3 host said that Priyanka was very clear that she didn’t want to do ‘Bharat’.

"Priyanka's work was for 75-80 days. Shaadi ke liye chaar din ka preparation, aur chaar din ki shaadi, aath din ke andar ho gayi aur phir uske baad honeymoon. So, we said we will work it out. But she was very clear that she didn't want to be a part of the film,’’ the ‘Sultan’ actor told the daily.

Salman also added that the decision to not do the film must be difficult for the ‘Fashion’ actress as she was keen to do ‘Bharat’.

Bhaijaan, who is reuniting with his ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ co-star Katrina Kaif for ‘Bharat’, also said that Priyanka called her sister Arpita Khan Sharma a thousand times telling her that she wishes to work with him.

"She has called up Arpita a thousand times, saying, 'I want to work with Salman'. She has even called up Ali (Abbas Zafar, director) and told him, 'See if you can get me something in this film'," Salman told TOI.

(Priyanka & Salman in 'Salaam-E-Ishq)

Salman will soon be back on the small screens with Bigg Boss 12. The popular reality show will air at 9pm on all the days on Colors channel.

Talking about Priyanka, the ‘Dostana’ actress will be next seen in Shonali Bose’s ‘The Sky Is Pink’.

Watch this space for more updates!

Also Read- Did Salman's EX-manager Reshma convince Priyanka to walk out of 'Bharat'?