Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Producer Says Family Concerns Led to Akshay’s Barsaat Exit
Suneel Darshan planned a movie called Barsaat with Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra.
The actors had already filmed the movie’s title song together.
Darshan said Akshay later asked to delay the rest of the filming.
He said there were concerns about Akshay and Priyanka working together again.
Darshan believed this might cause problems in Akshay’s family.
He decided to keep Priyanka and replace Akshay with Bobby Deol.
Darshan’s account refers to a rumored relationship, but the articles do not include responses from Akshay or Priyanka.
He also said Priyanka worked extremely hard while making her first film, Andaaz.
She reportedly practiced dancing for long hours and injured her feet during preparation.
Suneel Darshan said Akshay Kumar was removed from Barsaat after its title song was filmed with Priyanka Chopra.
Darshan said Akshay later requested a postponement, but a 100-person production unit was ready to shoot.
The producer said he kept Priyanka in the film because he believed Akshay’s marriage could face repercussions.
Bobby Deol eventually played the role originally intended for Akshay, alongside Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu.
Darshan also recalled Priyanka’s intensive preparation and described her as hardworking, dynamic, and somewhat mischievous.
- Who
- Producer Suneel Darshan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, and Bobby Deol were central to the account; Twinkle Khanna was mentioned in Darshan’s earlier remarks.
- What
- Darshan said Akshay Kumar was dropped from the planned film Barsaat after concerns about continuing to work with Priyanka Chopra.
- When
- The remarks were made in recent interviews; the articles do not provide specific dates.
- Where
- Darshan discussed the matter with the YouTube channel Minutes of Masala and referred to an earlier interview with Friday Talkies.
- Why
- Darshan said Akshay requested a postponement that was impractical because a 100-person unit was ready, and he feared further family repercussions if Akshay and Priyanka worked together.
- Planned film
- Barsaat, featuring Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, and Bipasha Basu in the original plan.
- Filmed material
- Darshan said the title song had already been shot with Akshay and Priyanka.
- Production difficulty
- Darshan said Akshay requested a postponement after a break, but a 100-person unit was ready to resume work.
- Replacement actor
- Bobby Deol played the role originally intended for Akshay Kumar.
- Darshan’s explanation
- He said keeping Akshay and Priyanka together could have led to repercussions within Akshay’s family.
- Earlier collaborations
- Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra had worked together in Andaaz, Waqt, and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, according to the articles.
- Priyanka’s reported preparation
- Darshan said she practiced dancing from morning until midnight during Andaaz’s production and sometimes injured her feet.
- Upcoming project
- The article says Priyanka Chopra is expected to appear in SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi with Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
