Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; July 18, 2016)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s fondness for Priyanka Chopra is no secret, but it seems like the actress, too, swears by him. PeeCee, who hasn’t signed any Hindi film since Jai Gangaajal released in March, is said to be keen on returning to the Bollywood scene with a Bhansali project. Although busy with her international show, Quantico, in the US now, she is in constant touch with the filmmaker, we hear.

Says a source, “When Priyanka recently came to India to wrap up her domestic commitments, she met a few filmmakers, including Bhansali, for script narration sessions. It looks like Bhansali’s story has stayed with her. She wants to work with him as soon as the Quantico shoot wraps up. However, it may take time since he is about to begin work on another project titled Padmavati.”

Priyanka has featured in three back- to- back films by Bhansali — she did an item number in Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela (2013), played the lead in SLB’s production Mary Kom (2014) and then essayed the role of Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani (2015). The latter two earned her critical as well as commercial acclaim.

There was buzz about Priyanka being considered for Bhansali’s upcoming period drama on the beautiful Mewar queen. However, it was Deepika Padukone, who eventually bagged the role, in the film starring Ranveer Singh.

PC currently has a packed diary with a two-month schedule for Quantico season 2 after which she is likely to announce