'Priyanka Chopra and I are still very close', says 'Bharat' director Ali Abbas Zafar

Priyanka Chopra Jonas' sudden exit from 'Bharat' may have left fans disappointed, but filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar says he understood actor's decision and continues to share a close bond with her.

Priyanka was originally set to star opposite Salman Khan in film, but she opted out of project as a part of film's schedule was clashing with her wedding with American singer Nick Jonas.

"re was stress. thing was going on in my he when that happened. One good thing which has happened to me is that after working with Salman, I have started managing my stress very nicely because he gives that to me every day," Ali quipped.

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In an interview with PTI,  director said it was difficult to accommodate date changes as "Bharat" was alrey scheduled to release on Eid this year.

"She h a genuine reason. She was going through something very special in her personal life. It was affecting our dates. If we would have accommodated her into film, it wouldn't be releasing on Eid this year." 

Ali says Priyanka's exit has t put a dent on ir friendship. duo previously worked in "Gunday".

"Priyanka understood it and we understood her. We thought we will collaborate again in some or film. It was all very happy. Priyanka and I are very close friends even w. We text, we talk all time. I haven't asked her if she has seen trailer, I'm sure she must've." 

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Priyanka was replaced by Katrina Kaif, who worked in Ali's directorial debut 'Mere Bror Ki Dulhan' and collaborated with him again in 'Tiger Zinda Hai'.

"We were fortunate that Katrina, back n, was shooting 'Zero' and 'Thugs of Hindostan' and  films were getting over. Her dates opened up and she came on board instantly. I just sent her script to re and she said she is doing it. It was that quick," Ali says.