Katrina Kaif steps into Priyanka Chopra’s shoes

Priyanka Chopra may have been replaced by Katrina Kaif in Ali Abbas Zafar’s Bharat after suddenly deciding to quit the project, but it’s not going to be easy for the half-British diva to fill the desi girl’s shoes.

Apparently, the character is a glib-sounding north Indian firebrand, who, as a source describes it, “speaks at the same speed as Sholay’s Basanti”. But we all know Katrina can’t play an indigenous bharatiya nari with that much conviction. And this has actor-producer Salman Khan and his director Ali Abbas Zafar in a bit of a fix.

“The role was a perfect fit for Priyanka Chopra, and that’s why she was signed in the first place. Otherwise, Katrina would have been the first choice. But she has stepped in without a moment’s hesitation,” a source says.

Apparently, all Salman had to do was place a call and inform her of the change in plans, and Katrina was ready to roll. Now, she has a mammoth task ahead of her. The actress is going to have to work really hard on her dialogues and her body language for the role. Perhaps some serious Hindi lessons from Priyanka Chopra herself are in order.