By Hindustan Times

MUMBAI, Nov. 11 -- My super sleuth is not done yet. Now he wants me to hear about how Priyanka Chopra almost made it to Golmaal 3, which is raking in the moolah at the box-office since its release on Friday. Tell me about it, I order, and Sher lock bhai reveals that Kareena Kapoor had opted out of the Rohit-Shetty film despite the hugely successful Golmaal Returns two Diwalis ago.

Seems, Bebo was having second thoughts about doing the latest franchisee after Paresh Rawal opted out due to unavailability of dates and Arshad Warsi was threatening to walk out over monetary issues with the producers. That's when Shetty initiated talks with Chopra, who had an open date diary then and was ready to shoot at short notice too.

However, before the nirdeshak could meet Piggy Chops for a detailed narration, Tusshar Kapoor stepped in to convince his saheli kareena. Apparently, he explained to her that while Mithun Chakraborty was appropriate for Rawal's part and Warsi would make it to the cast, she could lose a sureshot Diwali hit to her rival Priyanka.

Besides, it would be an unwise professional decision on her part to let go of a meaty role as the only female lead with more than abundant screen time as compared to the previous franchisee. Bas, aur kya? Bebo saw reason and before Shetty's evening meeting with Chopra, called him in the morning to confirm her participation in the movie. And now that the film has been certified a hit, the Kapoor kudi has only her buddy Tushki to thank. As for Priyanka, maybe she will have a release next festive season. As they say, yeh nahin, toh koi aur sahi.