Ranbir Kapoor skates is Priyanka's absence

It was meant to be Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor ice-skating together at the Central Park in New York for Anjaana Anjaani - the first film couple since John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in 2001"s Serendipity to get the privilege of being captured on camera gliding on ice at that location.

Alas, filmmaker proposes. Actress disposes. Priyanka had to return to India for four days to promote her new film Pyaar Impossible. The field, rather the icing rink, was left clear for Ranbir Kapoor, who for three consecutive nights skated non-stop all night in Central Park. Not just that Ranbir spent all of the New Year weekend in New York learning how to skate.

Says producer Sajid Nadiadwala, “Ranbir"s dedication to get it absolutely right just took our breath away. He is relentless in focusing on getting it right. He had to skate alone because Priyanka had to return to Mumbai. He skated for three nights from 11 pm to 4 am in (minus) -6 degree temperature in Central Park."

It was important to can all the footage in those three nights. Says Sajid, “We were the first film unit since Serendipity to get permission to shoot in Central Park"s icing rink and we had limited time. But the weather was freezing. We were worried how we"d manage it. We underestimated Ranbir"s passion for excellence. He skated non-stop all night for three nights."

It was only after those three nights of super-frozen weather conditions that Ranbir finally fell on his bed with utter exhaustion. He"s gradually recovering from the marathon ice-sport.

Says Sajid, “The footage we"ve captured of Ranbir ice-skating shows his ballet-like elegance and precision. I don"t think we"ve ever got anything like this before."

Apparently Priyanka had a sneak peek at the footage of Ranbir ice-skating and has expressed a desire to do some of it herself. Apparently Ranbir and Priyanka don"t just play a combative couple in Anjaana Anjaani, they"re also ruthlessly competitive while shooting.

Says a source, “It"s hard to say which of the two rushes to the monitor first after every shot. There"s a minor marathon race on location after every shot."

From New York Anjaana Anjaani now moves to Las Vegas where Ranbir and Priyanka intend to out-gamble one another.