Oh dear, the news is true. Priyanka Chopra, whose Bollywood comeback after the disastrous Jai Gangaajal in 2016 was to be Salman Khan’s Bharat, is not in the film anymore. She was to begin shooting in August. Absolute and final confirmation about this dismal news came from the film’s beleaguered director Ali Abbas Zafar himself. Zafar tweeted, “Yes, Priyanka is no more a part of @Bharat_TheFilm & the reason is very very special she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for ... Team Bharat wishes @priyankachopra loads of love & happiness for life.”

https://twitter.com/aliabbaszafar/status/1022673504536129541

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A suggestive Tweet, if ever we have read one. What Zafar seems to imply by that “Nick of time” hint is that Priyanka has pulled out of his period action drama because Ms. Chopra is about get hitched to American musician Nick Jonas who she has been steadily dating. So, Zafar’s single Tweet really kills two birds. One, that the actress won’t make her “homecoming” to Bollywood through his film Bharat. And, two, that yes, Priyanka is indeed serious about Nick and this entire show of him being around her like a 24/7 chaperone is not to score brownie points back home but because it’s true love.

Salman’s reaction to the sudden exit of his leading lady from Bharat is not known but the Bollywood superstar, who can take a blow on the chin and still stand smiling, is probably cool with the idea. The two actors have started together in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) and God Tussi Great Ho (2008). Shooting for Bharat began on Sunday with Salman, who plays a motorcycle stuntman, and Disha Patani, whose role is that of a trapeze artiste. Yesterday, moving on from the Priyanka disappointment, Zafar shot a song with Salman and Disha that was choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.