Why Priyanka lost out on 'Milan Talkies'

Ekta Kapoor's upcoming film Milan Talkies seems to be dogged by controversy. After the clash between the producer and Imran Khan (he was the makers' first choice for the film) grabbed headlines, rumours surfaced that Shahid Kapoor was being considered for the role. Close on the heels of those developments, we heard that even the film's heroine Priyanka Chopra has bowed out of the project.

Sources say PC's ouster from the project may have something to do with her alleged differences with her ex, Shahid as reported in ‘Ex-it policy' (HitList, September 2).

Says a source, "Imran has gone to town talking about the nightmarish experience he had while working on the promotions of Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara. On the other hand, Ekta who is known not to take things lying down has immediately finalised Shahid for the film. Since Sasha and PC are not exactly on the same page off late, it was but natural to let her go off the project."

Insiders say that while the makers are hunting for a new actress, Shraddha Kapoor is apparently the frontrunner to clinch the role.

Says Ekta, "Priyanka had date issues as her dates for Milan Talkies were clashing with another film. Since we changed the lead actor, the dates had to be reworked. By then, her dates were already allotted to another project. But we let her go on one condition -- that she would have to do another film with us."

Priyanka remained unavailable for comment. u00a0