In December 2010, Mumbai Mirror reported how Priyanka Chopra after being confirmed for the lead role in Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's 2 States was suddenly dropped, thanks to the lead actor Shah Rukh Khan and his belief that the script demanded a fresh face. Seems like, the King Khan has now had a change of heart.

He not only insisted on having Priyanka on board again, but also convinced the actress to take up the offer.

Reports of the actress falling out of favour with Vishal Bhardwaj after 7 Khoon Maaf also added to the decision of her getting dropped from the director's next project.

The fact that she was a Punjabi and the character was that of a South Indian girl, also worked against the actress. However, looks like King Khan's recommendation has overcome all odds. A source informs, "Priyanka is Punjabi.

But both Vishal and Shah Rukh are convinced she can pull off the Tamilian role. They feel she possesses the versatility. And she will practise her accent. Earlier they felt only a South Indian actress could do justice to the role. But now even producer Sajid Nadiadwala is convinced that Priyanka can pull it off."

The film 2 States is now scheduled to go on floors in late 2012. Priyanka had openly declared that Shah Rukh is her favourite actor, ever since. However, this is the first time SRK has endorsed or rather insisted on casting a particular heroine in a film.

Looks like the actress has definitely impressed SRK with her versatility and acting prowess in the recent past. After all, they are working together in Farhan Akhtar's Don 2.

As for Bhardwaj, he had earlier said that Priyanka was his favourite actress. And after leaving her out of Kaminey sequel, maybe even the director did not want to lose this opportunity to work with her once again.

2 States was earlier supposed to be directed by Siddharth Anand, however it went to Vishal Bharadwaj after Siddharth had a fallout with the producer Sajid Nadiadwala.