With Sultan, it's the 2nd time Parineeti has lost out to Anushka

With Sultan, it's the second time she has lost out to Ms. Sharma

Parineeti Chopra has been making all politically correct statements - from saying that she is rooting for Salman Khan at Filmfare Awards (Parineeti still loves Salman, AIB haunts Arjun, January 15) to asserting that Anushka Sharma is a "great" choice for Sultan. But truth is, the actress was moving mountains to ensure she nabs the role opposite Salman Khan and isn't happy (expectedly) to lose out to the Band Baaja Baaraat girl.

In a bid to woo top boss Aditya Chopra, Parineeti voluntarily underwent a meticulous weight-loss regime and came up with an athletic, sexy built - a major requirement for the leading lady's part. Sources within the unit reveal that she was mentally and physically ready to dive into the role and Anushka's casting announcement came as a shocker to the Ishaqzaade girl.

Blame it on Salman, who was clear that Parineeti shouldn't be a part of the project. After hitting walls, director Ali Abbas Zafar told Aditya Chopra that he'd be happy with whoever is chosen.

Word also has it that Salman wasn't too keen on Parineeti either.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Anushka has pipped Parineeti to bag a coveted part. Parineeti had as many as 5 meetings with Karan Johar for a role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Says a source from Dharma Productions, "Karan just couldn't see her in the part. The role requires a kind of vulnerability and Parineeti looked too steely for the character." As luck would have it, that part too went to Anushka .

A heartbroken Parineeti literally has no films at this point though word from the YRF corridors is that Aditya has promised her a major' role in one of their upcoming productions.

"It's worth finding out if that comes through. Who knows, Parineeti might decide to leave YRF talent just like Sushant Singh Rajput, who felt he was getting step-brotherly treatment while Ranveer Singh whisked away with all the premium projects," adds the source.