Priyanka Chopra dropping out of ‘Bharat’, Kartik Aaryan being replaced in ‘Dostana 2': Bollywood celebs' controversial exits from films

Bollywood celebs often find themselves mired in controversies. Beyond professional relationships and personal link-ups, actors also land in a soup because of their films. Sometimes despite glamorous announcements and promotions, controversy erupts when a film goes on the floors and actors have to bid adieu to their dream projects! From Priyanka Chopra dropping out of ‘Bharat’ to Sonu Sood’s controversial exit from ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’... take a look at actors who had to be replaced in Bollywood films...

Priyanka Chopra was all set to romance Salman Khan in ‘Bharat’, but she opted out of the movie as the schedule was clashing with her wedding plans with Nick Jonas in 2018. "She had a genuine reason. She was going through something very special in her personal life,” director Ali Abbas Zafar had told PTI at the time. While initially it was rumoured that Priyanka and Salman had a fall out because of this, all seemed well when Salman attended PC-Nick’s wedding reception in Mumbai. Katrina Kaif was later roped in to replace Priyanka Chopra in the film.

In one of the most controversial exits from films, Kartik Aaryan was replaced in the Karan Johar-produced ‘Dostana 2’. Without mentioning the actor’s name, Dharma Productions shared a statement that read, “Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence - we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon." Kartik had shot for major portions of ‘Dostana 2’ with Janhvi Kapoor, and his exit raised many eyebrows and led to various speculations. However, the actor is yet to comment on the same.

Back in 2017, Chitrangda Singh had walked out of the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’, reportedly citing discomfort while shooting intimate scenes. The film's script, dialogue, and screenplay writer, Galib Asad Bhopali had told Mumbai Mirror, “She had objections to the lovemaking scenes, in fact to almost every other scene, and even refused to kiss Nawaz. She lost her cool when they were shooting a lovemaking scene. The actress fumed and stormed out.” She was then replaced by Bidita Bag.

Sonu Sood was essaying a pivotal role in the historic drama ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’. However, he quit the movie halfway, leading to speculations of a spat with leading lady Kangana Ranaut, who was also the film’s producer and co-director. In a statement, Kangana had shared, “Sonu vehemently denied working under a woman director, which is kind of amusing because Sonu is a dear friend and I have even launched the music of a film that he produced at his request. Even though the team suggested that they have full faith in me, it seems, Sonu had neither dates nor faith.” While on his part, Sonu told a news portal that he never said that he doesn’t want to work with a female director as he has already done a film with a female director (Farah Khan's ‘Happy New Year’). Zeeshaan Ayyub later replaced Sonu in the film.