by Subhash K Jha

Not too many people would believe this right now—not after the things he was heard saying in the infamous tapes—but Priyanka Chopra who's shooting with the enfant terrible of filmdom swears by Salman's name.

"He's a a cool dude, totally dependable and such a warm giving and affectionate person," Priyanka whispered emotionally before she left for the US for further treatment for her ailing dad.

"Not too many people in the industry know about my dad's illness. And even those who know hardly care. You can't blame anyone. Everyone is busy with his or her own life. But Salman was genuinely concerned. The minute he came to know about the seriousness of the situation he asked me what I needed and kept his concern alive. I normally don't let my pain show in public.

" I'm a very strong girl that way. But Salman has seen me break down about my dad. Whether it was showing his concern to me, or coming to spend time with my dad, I'll never forget what a helpful and gnerous man he is."

Contradicting his image of the flirtatious Casanova Priyanka says, "Salman is a thorough gentleman, a really really cool guy. He has never behaved in any way but the most decent way with me. We're doing this really zany comedy God Tusi Great Ho with writer-turned-director Rumi Jaffrey and we're having a ball. I'm sure this would be our second comedy hit after Mujhse Shaadi Karogi."

Priyanka was supposed to take off for her concerts abroad . But now they've been postponed to October. "So I'll get time to be with my dad."

Didn't her Salman starrer get affected by the tape controversies? "Not one bit," chuckles Chopra. "We didn't have to cancel one day's shoot. I think it's Salman's film with Sajid Nadiadwala that got affected."