POETIC FORAY: ACTOR Priyanka Chopra and Imtiaz Ali

When Imtiaz Blushed....

                    If it weren't for Jab We Met director Imtiaz Ali's shy nature. he would have been playing a poet who tries to woo Priyanka Chopra in Vishal Bhardwaj's Ek Batta Saat, However, the very thought of romancing Priyanka by impressing her with his poems was enough for Imtiaz to develop cold feet. What a pity, Imtiaz would have been the perfect choice with his flowing, wavy hair and laid back look ! A source said, "Vishal was keen to cast Imtiaz in the film and the two had already discussed details. Imtiaz had agreed initially. After all, who wouldn't want to work with Vishal ? But, the moment Imtiaz learn that he had to mouth romantic shaiyaris to woo Priyanka Chopra, he immediately backed out. He was clearly feeling shy at the thought of being lovey-dovey with Priyanka on screen, Vishal tried to convince Imtiaz that he would kfit the bill because of his looks, but Imtiaz politely turned down the offer. Vishal, of course, understood Imtiaz's point of view and they both had a good laugh over it. Incidentally, Imtiaz is no stranger to acting. He was a popular theatre actor and played a cop in Anurang Kashyap's Black Friday before he turned director."

EK Batta Saat has Priyanka romancing Seven men, including John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Mohan Lal and Naseeruddin shah. The rest of the casting is still being decided.