Tabu third time unlucky with Salman Khan

The vastly-talented Tabu is just not being able to net the evergreen Salman Khan.

In her latest outing with him, in the film Bharat, Tabu — 10 years his junior — is not cast opposite him.

And since we know Bollywood doesn’t endorse ageism (our tongues are firmly in our cheeks), it is the much younger, foreign-return-desi-girl Priyanka Chopra who will play Sallu’s romantic interest in Bharat.

A source close to the film said: “Tabu took some time to say yes to Bharat. She would crib about never being cast opposite Salman Khan.”

This is the actress’ third film with Salman. She was first seen with him in Sajid Nadiadwala-Raj Kanwar’s Jeet where Karisma Kapoor gets the leading man. They were again cast together in Hum Saath Saath Hain where Tabu romances Mohnish Behl and Khan gets Sonali Bendre. More recently in Salman’s home production Jai Ho, the Drishyam actress was his sister. Sigh.

Well, to Tabu’s credit, this powerhouse actress has held on to her beliefs. Meaty role over the usual frills like dancing around trees, has been her mantra over the years.

She has not been cast opposite the other two Khans either. Too talented to handle?