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Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 14, 2015)

First, Anushka Sharma’s and Deepika Padukone’s names did the rounds. Then Kangana Ranaut confirmed that she had been offered the female lead role opposite Salman Khan in Sultan. She then backed out due to prior commitments. It is now learned that Parineeti Chopra has bagged the role.

Says a source, “Pari’s always been a Yash Raj Films favourite; the choice was not surprising. Aditya (Chopra) was angry with Kangana for talking about the film. He immediately called her up and got her on board. Obviously, Pari won’t say no to her mentor!”

What about DP and Anushka? Our source at YRF claims they were never even approached. But considering Pari only likes playing strong characters, how did she accept the role opposite Salman. Says the source, “She never would have, had her role not been meaty. Like Salman, the leading heroine is also a wrestler in the film. Sultan is not about glorifying Salman. So it was not too difficult to get Parineeti say yes,” our source revealed.

Pari who was on a break, has already started prepping for her role. “She is now training hard to perfect the nuances of the character and also look like a wrestler,” says our source.

The actress was unavailable for comment.