Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 17, 2017)

Having completed her Hollywood film Isn’t It Romantic?, it’s Bollywood calling for Priyanka Chopra, who returns to the bay today.

While her customary brand assignments will take up some of her time over the two-week-long stay, sources suggest that the primary reason for her Mumbai trip is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gustaakhiyaan. The actor, along with Bhansali, hopes to zero in on a leading man for the project. She is taking keen interest in the love saga as it will be her first Hindi release post her switch to Hollywood films.

Our source informs, “The film’s leading man has to be finalised within this month. Though Bhansali is neck deep in work with Padmavati, he wants to start this film by mid-2018.”

While Irrfan and Abhishek Bachchan were tipped to play the role, the period drama finds itself without a male lead even after months of scouting at Bhansali’s end. Adds the source, “The film’s pre-production has to be completed latest by March next year. So working backwards, the lead cast has to be decided before the pre-production begins.”

In an earlier interview in July, the actor’s mother, Madhu Chopra had told us, “Everything about Gustaakhiyaan is Sanjay sir’s call. Priyanka is happy to be guided entirely by his vision. She would’ve wanted to co-produce the movie but the discussion on that is yet to happen. This film goes completely with her sensibilities — it’s lyrical and romantic.”

Over the next 15 days, besides locking the cast of her next, Chopra will also chalk out the promotional strategy for Pahuna, her Sikkimese production, which is slated for a world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month. “She is extremely passionate about the project and wants to chalk out a great promotional strategy. Since the film is up at TIFF, she wants the finished product to be perfect and will be overseeing work on the film’s final edit,” adds the source.