Deepika Padukone beats Priyanka Chopra to bag new Indo-Chinese film? 

Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra's competition just turned towards the Orient. Having made an impact on Hollywood in the last five years, both actresses have become the strongest contenders for Indian roles in international projects. Chopra had the upper hand with her stint on American television through Quantico, but it looks like Padukone is upping her game. The actress is now in pole position to get Siddharth Anand's next Indo-Chinese project.

In an interview with Filmfare, Anand said, "Yes, it’s a cross-cultural romance set in Beijing. I’m excited to explore and showcase another culture through this film. Our Chinese producers have suggested Deng Chao’s name but we will take a final call when I visit China next month."

Deng Chao is one of the rising superstars of the Hong Kong film industry, whose recent The Mermaid (2016) broke the record for highest-grossing Chinese movie of all time. The reports of the film have been circulating in the media since October last year, when news agency IANS broke the story. Anand, along with Kabir Khan, had been roped in by Eros International to helm two Indo-Chinese projects. The film will be co-produced by Chinese film companies Peacock Mountain Culture and Huaxia Film Distribution Co Ltd. The working title for Anand's film is currently Love in Beijing. 

As for the leading lady of his film, Anand said, "The film will have an A-list actress who already has an international presence, so it could possibly be one of them." While he did not confirm Padukone as his choice, reports are emerging that the Bajirao Mastani actress will be taking up the project. Chopra is already awaiting the release of Baywatch in April, and also has the second season of Quantico to shoot for.

If it comes through, this will be Padukone's second international project, after her debut in the action franchise, xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2016).