It's bizarre! Katrina Kaif predicted she would replace Priyanka Chopra in Bharat much earlier

Katrina Kaif was brought on board as the lead actress for Bharat after Priyanka Chopra backed out of the project. However, it is a bit strange to know Katrina had already predicted that she would eventually be a part of the Salman Khan starrer.

Priyanka was always the first choice for director Ali Abbas Zafar in Bharat. Priyanka's role was finalised, but just a few days before the commencement of shooting, PeeCee stepped down citing personal reasons.

The director has now revealed an incident as to how Katrina predicted her entry into the Bharat team much earlier.

"It's bizarre, but let me share this. When we finished Tiger Zinda Hai, Katrina smiled and told me that I am going to miss her on my next film. At that time, I was quite clear that Priyanka is going to do Bharat. Katrina laughed and told me that she will find some way to be a part of the film. Now she is a part of Bharat, so maybe it was destiny," Ali told The Times of India.

The film-maker further added that although he was worried after Priyanka quit Bharat, Ali believes that Katrina is a "big plus" for the film.

"She is a dear friend, so I can't feel hurt or angry with her. Priyanka also came with very valid reasons and I couldn't say no to them. Acting and directing is our profession. Whatever is beyond that is our personal life. Somebody who is part of the fraternity needs to value your professional as well as your personal life. We can't be insensitive and I am not that kind of a person. I understood her point and where she was coming from. Obviously, I was unnerved and then I had a couple of sleepless nights. But eventually, whatever happens is for the best. Katrina's presence in the film is a big plus," Ali told the publication.

While there were rumours that Salman and the Bharat team was upset with Priyanka for leaving the project all of a sudden, Ali clarified that these rumours are baseless, and there is no bad blood between her and the Bharat team.