Katrina replaces Priyanka in 'Dostana 2'

Katrina Kaif is to replace Priyanka Chopra as the love interest in the sequel to hit comedy Dostana.

The film will reunite John Abraham and Abishek Bachchan, who in the original played friends pretending to be gay lovers to secure a plush apartment and impress Chopra.

It will also star Arjun Rampal and Ritesh Deshmukh as new admirers of the leading girl.

The Dostana directing and producing team Tarun Mansukhani and producer Karan Johar will reunite for the sequel.

A source said: "Katrina was chosen to play the female lead after much deliberation.

"They felt that Katrina’s ‘most hit’ status on the internet makes it apt for her to play the role of the ‘most hit’ girl by the boys in Dostana 2."