Madhu Chopra: Can Priyanka ever say Abhishek isn’t ideal for Gustakhiyan?

Recent news reports stated that Priyanka Chopra would be co-producing Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gustakhiyan which stars her in the lead role. There were also rumours that she was uncomfortable with Abhishek Bachchan being cast opposite her in the film, which is based on author Amrita Pritam and poet Sahir Ludhianvi’s love story. It was said that she wanted an actor who hasn’t done any period film before and Abhishek has worked in Umrao Jaan (2006). 

But Madhu Chopra, Priyanka’s mother and her partner in their production house Purple Pebble Pictures, has quashed all such reports in a recent interaction with the media. She said, “Can anyone imagine Priyanka making such a comment that Abhishek wouldn’t be ideal for the role?  She is not even aware of this, and she has no say in Gustakhiyan. Priyanka would be the last person to make such suggestions. It is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s call. He is the captain of the ship, and he has to decide.”

In fact, she has even rubbished all reports about Priyanka co-producing the film. “If she were co-producing the film, it would have been endorsed with my signature. I haven’t signed it, and I haven’t been approached either,” she said. But she added that Priyanka would surely love to co-produce it. “Not just Gustakhiyan, if the opportunity arises, she would love to co-produce all her films, now that we have gone into production.”

Madhu also took the opportunity to take a dig at media for carrying unconfirmed reports. “Priyanka and I are amused by these stories. I keep telling her that she doesn’t give the media good fodder, so they go ahead and write just about anything. She is not in India, that’s why they go ahead with such reports,” she said in an interview to Asian Age. 

Irrfan Khan was earlier said to be playing the role of Ludhianvi in Gustakhiyan. Madhu believes is the perfect choice for the role. “It is all about poetry and only an actor who could sing shayaris and go down nostalgia lane, could be apt for the role. I guess Irrfan Khan would have been a good bet, but its Bhansali’s call,” she said.