Weeks after Priyanka Chopra quit Salman Khan's 'Bharat', the 52-year-old superstar revealed that Priyanka was initially signed for the role because she requested director Ali Abbas Zafar that she be cast in the film. According to him, the global star also made some 1000 calls to his sister Arpita Khan. Priyanka called Arpita Khan a thousand times Talking about Priyanka's exit from Bharat at Bigg Boss 12 launch event in Goa, Salman told Bombay Times: "It must have been very difficult for her to make this decision because she was very keen to work on this project. She has called up Arpita a thousand times, saying, 'I want to work with Salman'. She has even called up Ali (Abbas Zafar) and told him, 'See if you can get me something in this film'." Katrina Kaif was the first choice of producer Atul Agnihotri "I'm glad Katrina is part of the film. She was Atul's first choice. But Priyanka called Ali and said she wanted to do Bharat, so we considered her. It was sweet of her to tell us five days before the shoot that she couldn't do Bharat," Salman told Mid-Day in an earlier interview. He reiterated this in the latest interview : "Atul and baby's (Salman's sister Alvira Khan's) first choice was Katrina. But since Ali and Priyanka have worked together, Ali wanted to work with her, because she told Ali that she wanted to work in the film." Salman was devastated when he first got to know that Priyanka wants to opt out of the film "We were destroyed that she is not doing Bharat, we were devastated (he says placing his hand on his heart with a impish smile), but we had to handle it, and we did. (On a serious note) No, she had a genuine problem at that point of time, but it’s just that we should have known it slightly earlier. But I am sure it’s okay, hope that film (with Chirs Pratt) works out for her. She has got engaged and I am really happy. Arpita (Khan Sharma, his sister) had gone for the engagement. Now, we have Katrina in Bharat, she is looking beautiful and is working hard. But main waise dalte rehta hoon (about Priyanka), nahi toh boring ho jaata hai (smiles)," he told DNA After Hrs in an exclusive interview. Salman was also ready to adjust the dates according to Priyanka's wedding "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'. 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 actor said. It's believed that Priyanka's engagement to Nick Jonas was not the only reason for her exit from 'Bharat'. It was during the same time when she got offered her fourth Hollywood film Cowboy Ninja Viking, alongside Guardian Of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt. And it seems she chose the latter over Salman's film. Salman feels Priyanka isn't interested in working in Bollywood anymore "Not doing this had to be because of the wedding or because she doesn't want to work with me anymore. It could also be because she doesn't want to work in humari industry (Bollywood) or wants to work only in Hollywood. Whatever she wants to do, I wish her all the best in life. We are glad that she is engaged and happy," Salman added in his interview to Bombay Times. ANI had earlier quoted him as saying: "I am really happy for her. Had we known earlier that she has signed a big film in Hollywood, we would have never stopped her. My shooting had begun. We got to know about her decision of leaving the film at the end moment - just 10 days before her schedule. Priyanka had come home and I told her, 'It's okay if you don't want to do it'. At that time, we were given some other reason. Whatever may be the reason - be it marriage or picture or her not being willing to work in India or with me, it's her reason and we are really supportive about her doing good work. If she does not want to work with Salman Khan, it's okay; she's working with a big hero in Hollywood." Salman insists that he is not miffed with Priyanka While speaking at the Bigg Boss 12 press conference, he said, "No no, I am not angry with Priyanka at all. It's great move in her life (engagement with Nick) and I wish them all the best. Arpita had even attended the functions. So, there's no hard feelings. However, it's sad that the film could not happen with her."<doc-sep>Salman Khan’s upcoming film Bharat has stunned everyone before it gets released when Bollywood desi girl Priyanka Chopra exit from the film. However, the news reports circulated that she did because of her marriage with Nick Jonas but after walked out, she also signed two films. One in Bollywood and the other in Hollywood film industry. However, no one knew the real reason behind her this big step. Recently, Salman Khan made a shocking revelation about PeeCee’s exit. He said that Priyanka has told them about her marriage and even Salman had also suggested to her that they can work on the dates that she wants but Priyanka had already decided her decision. Salman Khan has also revealed that the Priyanka wanted to be a part of the film as she called her sister Arpita Khan 1000 times to get a role in the film. Also, she called the director Ali Abbas Zafar for the same. Dabangg star also said that he doesn’t know the real reason behind her decision to leave the film. He said that there might be her personal reason or she doesn’t want to work with him or Bollywood anymore. Salman Khan also cleared that she has no problem with Priyanka and he is also happy for her. He wished his best wishes for Priyanka Chopra and also happy for her engagement with Nick Jonas. Also read: Here is why Sushant Singh Rajput cannot reply to you on Instagram<doc-sep>
A few months ago when Ali Abbas Zafar roped in Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan for Bharat, their fans couldn't keep calm. And why not? It's been almost a decade since this popular jodi set the screen on fire with their sizzling chemistry. But everyone was in for a rude shock when Priyanka decided to make an impromptu exit at the last moment. Just a few days before shooting for the much-anticipated film, Desi Girl bowed out of the project due to her engagement to Nick Jonas. Soon after Priyanka's exit, rumours started doing the rounds that Priyanka's exit hasn't gone down too well with Salman. Buzz has it that the 52-year-old actor is miffed with Priyanka. However, Salman in a recent interview to a leading daily revealed that he holds no grudge against the actress. "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 added, "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. Salman, who is now working with Katrina Kaif in the film, revealed that Priyanka was keen to work on the project. He said that the actress had called Salman's sister Arpita many a times telling her that she wants to work with the actor. "It must have been very difficult for her to make this decision because she was very keen to work on this project. 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'." The Dabangg actor also said that he doesn't know about the real reason behind her exit from the film. "Not doing this had to be because of the wedding or because she doesn't want to work with me anymore. It could also be because she doesn't want to work in humari industry (Bollywood) or wants to work only in Hollywood. Whatever she wants to do, I wish her all the best in life. We are glad that she is engaged and happy," added Salman. Bharat, which also stars Tabu and Disha Patani, is set to hit the screens in 2019. ALSO READ | Is Salman upset with Priyanka for leaving Bharat? Her mom answers ALSO READ | Salman Khan: Priyanka wanted to do Bharat, so we considered her