Confirmed: Priyanka Chopra to join Salman Khan in upcoming film 'Bharat'

Priyanka's character is said to be the film's soul

MUMBAI: Priyanka Chopra, who has been working in Hollywood back-to-back for the last few years, is set to make her big Bollywood comeback opposite Salman Khan with Bharat.

The Quantico star will be working with Salman after a decade in the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial. "Bharat it is! I'm looking forward to begin shooting this film and working with Salman and Ali again after a considerable time," Priyanka said in a statement. "I've learnt a lot from them in our previous collaborations and am excited to see what this one has to offer."

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

Chopra has worked under Zafar's in Gunday, and has also teamed up with Salman in films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Salaam-e-Ishq.

The global icon has thanked "all well-wishers who have been so patient and supportive" for the constant support.

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Zafar, who has been busy preparing for the movie, is happy that Bharat marks Chopra's homecoming to Bollywood. "Bharat is rooted in India and its culture, despite it spanning over 70 years and set across various countries of the world," he said.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

"Priyanka is the biggest Indian artiste internationally and she is a perfect fit for the film. She brings in outstanding acting, as well as incredible international appeal, to make the scale of the film bigger and even more global."

Zafar and producer Atul Agnihotri travelled to New York to meet the actor and gave her the narration of the film. The director believes that Chopra's character is the "soul of Bharat."

"As the love story in Bharat is very mature and quite subtle, we needed an actor who could portray this in the best possible way," he shared.

Zafar went on to state that throughout the film, Chopra stands shoulder to shoulder with Salman in the journey. "She is the catalyst in the film's most important turning point."

PHOTO: FILMFARE

Preparations for the film have started in London, after which Zafar will move on to Spain, Poland, Portugal and Malta.

Bharat will feature Khan sporting five different looks spanning 60 years, wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking much leaner and younger.

The film will release on Eid 2019.