In less than two months, Ali Abbas Zafar's much-talked-about film Bharat will hit the screens. Starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, Bharat has been in news for a long time. It is no secret that Priyanka Chopra was the first choice to play the leading lady. But she made an impromptu exit citing personal reasons. However, that hasn't led to any bad blood between Priyanka and Ali. In fact, the two are still thickest of buddies.

In an interview to Mumbai Mirror, Ali Abbas Zafar opened up on Priyanka's exit from the film, and the bond that they share.

"Priyanka was doing the film but things happened. As a friend, she shared it with me and I told that her life is most important. She's still a close friend. We laugh and talk twice a month. I'm very happy for her," said Ali Abbas Zafar.

Soon after Priyanka Chopra made her exit, Ali Abbas Zafar approached his close friend Katrina Kaif. The actress signed on the dotted lines immediately, and as they say, rest is history.

"I'm grateful to Katrina for stepping in. I was honest with her and told her I was sending her a script. If she liked it, we'd discuss it further. She's my closest friend in Mumbai. But on the work front, we're very transparent with each other. If she doesn't like something I'm doing, she lets me know and vice versa."

Bharat is an official remake of Korean film An Ode To My Father. The film depicts the history of India through the life of an ordinary man. Bharat, which is set to hit the screens this Eid, also stars Disha Patani and Jackie Shroff.

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