Katrina Kaif best choice for Bharat: Ali Abbas Zafar

Priyanka opted out from Bharat recently.

Katrina joined the team and replaced the Quantico star.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Ali said: " Katrina is a very big superstar and I’ve worked closely with her in two films. I shared the [Bharat] script with her and she liked the role."

"I think Katrina is our best choice, and I’m thankful that she could accommodate [this film] in the middle of whatever she was doing," he said.

“The way Salman sir’s and my vision is, we talk about everything,” said Ali.

“But he leaves the decision to me. Katrina was solely my decision, only for the reason that I’ve worked with her in two films, and her work was very nice," he said.

Bharat was scheduled to mark the return of Priyanka to Bollywood after a long gap from Hindi movies.

Ali, however, recently tweeted to confirm Priyanka's decision of not working in the movie.

Ali had hinted that a possible engagement of actress Priyanka Chopra with her rumoured beau and American singer Nick Jonas is the reason behind the actress' exit from the movie.

The Bharat director referred to word "Nick" in the tweet, leaving it to the public to speculate about an engagement of the desi girl.

The exact tweet reads, "Yes Priyanka Chopra is no more part of @Bharat_TheFilm & and the reason is very very special , she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her ... Team Bharat wishes @priyankachopra loads of love & happiness for life"

Image: instagram.com/katrinakaif