Can Katrina Kaif pull off a 'Hindustani' role? Salman Khan says Ali Abbas Zafar didn't think so

The Bollywood actor got candid about 'Bharat' director's thoughts

Salman Khan has taken over Eid yet again as his highly awaited drama Bharat is nearing its release.

But the Bollywood film's highly-anticipated release doesn't come without a furry of talks surrounding the casting of the female lead, namely Bollywood star Katrina Kaif and her ability to pull of a "Hindustani role," Pinkvilla reported.

Initially, fans were going to see the reunion of Salman and Priyanka Chopra on-screen. However, owing to her wedding with Nick Jonas, the actor controversially opted out of the project. It was then Katrina who came out on top for the hit lead opposite Salman in Bharat.

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The Kick actor reveals he always wanted Katrina in Bharat.  He said, "Priyanka was very keen on doing this film. We thought it was Katrina. But Katrina had just done Tiger Zinda Hai with me."

However, it was director Ali Abbas Zafar's following comments to Salman which made the actor defensive over Katrina.

Salman Khan criticises Priyanka Chopra for ditching 'Bharat' last minute 

"Ali thought that ‘woh Hindustani role hai.’ So, I said, ‘Kamaal hai yaar! Tumhari dost hai, itna kaam kiya hai. You don’t have confidence that she will be able to pull off a Hindustani role,'" Salman shared.

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He further defended his co-star and good friend to Zafar by talking about Katrina's 16-year career which has seen her in hit films such as Rajneeti and Rajkumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. Salman questioned the director, saying, "Have you forgotten that? Just because she has done movies like Bang Bang doesn’t mean she won’t be able to play an Indian role."

We know one thing is for sure over the whole jab - Salman seems to stick by his good friends and co-worker Katrina!

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