Priyanka Chopra's 'Bharat' exit leaves Salman Khan's ego permanently bruised
Bollywood actor Salman Khan might be one of the biggest stars in the industry, but he is also one of the most problematic, making obnoxious statements time and time again. The 53-year-old once again addressed his resentment over Priyanka Chopra Jonas's exit from his upcoming film Bharat, giving us a little peek into his misogynist soul. Here's what Salman had to say.
Salman interjected Katrina to bring up Priyanka in interview
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, as Bharat actor Katrina Kaif talked about her character in the film, Salman rudely interjected, thanking Priyanka sardonically. While Katrina tried to pacify him, Salman talked over her once again and demanded that Priyanka help them with promoting the film as though she owed him that. Katrina laughed nervously and tried diffusing the tension by staying on topic.
She chose USA in the 'nick' of time: Salman
Salman then said, "Over Bharat, she chose USA in the 'nick' of time," alluding to Priyanka's husband, Nick Jonas. He added, "But it's amazing. She has worked all her life so hard and when she got the biggest film of her life, she dumped that film and got married. Hats off! Usually, people leave their husbands for a film like this."
ICYMI: Here's a clip from Salman's interview
What has Priyanka accomplished in her own right?
With a National Film Award, a Padma Shri, a People's Choice Award and several other national/international accolades, with mentions among Time's world's 100 most influential people and Forbes world's 100 most powerful women, of course, Priyanka needed Sallu bhai to come to rescue her with a role in Bharat. How else could one woman manage successful careers in Bollywood and Hollywood?
Priyanka quit the film as she had to get married
Priyanka was signed for the role of Kumud in Bharat, however, she quit as she was to get married and the role went to Katrina. According to Salman, Priyanka quit Bharat five days before filming was to begin. Whether that's unprofessional remains open for debate.
'Biggest film of her life'? Doubt that
However, whether a woman picks a career over personal life or vice-versa is a decision that falls on just one person, the woman herself, and isn't a subject that is open for debate. Also, if this was the "biggest film of her life" remains to be seen, but we wouldn't count on it, as Priyanka's body of work spans blockbusters, to low-budget, quality cinema.
Salman now says Katrina was his first choice. Saving face?
At another media interaction, Salman claimed that Priyanka expressed "keen interest" in joining Bharat, even though Katrina had been their first choice. "Priyanka was very keen to do this film. Ali and we all thought it was Katrina Kaif's film. But Katrina and I did Tiger Zinda Hai just before that and Ali said that we need a girl who is 'Hindustani'," he said.
Salman apparently argued to cast Katrina instead of Priyanka
"I tried telling him, 'Why can't she (Katrina) pull off this role? She's been living in India for the last 20 years.' But Ali said, 'we've got a call from Priyanka' and it's also true that Priyanka and my sister, Arpita Khan, are good friends."
Not the first 'Thank you, Priyanka' from Salman
This is not the first time Salman has addressed Priyanka's exit from Bharat in the way that he did. At a recent press event, as Katrina described working with Bharat director Ali Abbas Zafar, Salman interrupted her and said, "Thank you, Priyanka." Another sardonic remark and yet another time he talked over a woman. Meanwhile, Priyanka has steered clear of addressing the matter.
Priyanka 'called Arpita thousand times' to get 'Bharat'
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Salman again thanked her sarcastically, adding he was willing to adjust dates. In September 2018, speaking to Bombay Times at Bigg Boss season 12's launch event, Salman claimed Priyanka "called up Arpita a thousand times, saying, 'I want to work with Salman'." Yet another attempt to belittle Priyanka and massage his own ego? We'll let you decide.
Priyanka is thriving globally, while Salman seems to have peaked
Salman is basically that dudebro ex from high school who would tell everyone he dumped you after you break up with him. Quick fact check: Priyanka won five Filmfare awards for acting, while Salman received two, both in the 90s. Priyanka has achieved global stardom and she's thriving, while Salman seems to have peaked. And he's out here trying to be upstage her? SMH
