The much-anticipated film starring John Abraham, titled The Diplomat, made a notable debut at the box office, amassing over Rs 4.03 crore net on its opening day, as revealed by the film’s producers on Saturday. The movie, directed by Shivam Nair with a script penned by Ritesh Shah, hit theaters on Friday, marking a significant entry into the cinematic landscape.

The production house T-Series took to their X handle to announce the film’s successful first-day earnings, posting an eye-catching promotional poster. The caption read, “A strategy that strikes gold. 4.03 crore NBOC,” highlighting the film’s strong financial start and engaging marketing approach.

Inspired by true events, The Diplomat showcases Abraham in the role of JP Singh, a dedicated diplomat who embarks on a mission to save an Indian woman named Uzma, portrayed by actress Sadia Khateeb, from the clutches of Pakistan. The film promises a thrilling narrative that intertwines elements of drama and international diplomacy.

The Diplomat has also garnered critical acclaim, with prominent director Anurag Kashyap praising John Abraham’s performance. Kashyap expressed admiration for the film while indicating a need for a compelling concept for his own future project, No Smoking 2, demonstrating the impact of Abraham’s latest role.

In terms of production, The Diplomat is a collaborative effort from various partners, including John Abraham’s JA Entertainment alongside T-Series, Vipul D Shah, Ashwin Varde, Rajesh Bahl from Wakaoo Films, along with Sameer Dixit and Jatish Varma of Fortune Pictures, and Rakesh Dang from Seeta Films. This range of production houses reflects the film’s extensive backing and collective expertise, contributing to its promising start.

As audiences flock to theaters, The Diplomat is expected to draw more viewers, further solidifying its place in the current film landscape while showcasing Abraham’s talents in a compelling narrative drawn from real-life diplomatic challenges.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan surprised fans and the media when he introduced his girlfriend, Gauri Spratt, at a pre-birthday event in Mumbai. The actor revealed that he has known Gauri for 25 years, and they have been in a relationship for the past 18 months.

Gauri Spratt’s background

Gauri Spratt hails from Bengaluru and has spent most of her life there. She is the daughter of Rita Spratt, who owned a salon in the city. Gauri pursued her education at Blue Mountain School and later studied fashion, completing a course in FDA Styling & Photography from the University of the Arts, London, in 2004.

Currently, she manages a BBlunt salon in Mumbai. Reports also suggest that she is a mother to a six-year-old child.

Aamir Khan on his relationship with Gauri

At the press meet, Aamir Khan shared that Gauri Spratt is now working with his production house. Speaking about how he managed to keep their relationship private, the actor joked, “Dekha kuch bhi pata nahi chalne diya maine tum logo ko (See, I did not let you get a wind of this).”

He further revealed that since Gauri was based in Bengaluru, he often traveled there to meet her, which helped them maintain a low profile. “For one, she lived in Bangalore till recently. So, I would fly down to meet her, and the media scrutiny is less there. So we stayed under the radar,” Aamir added.

Gauri Spratt meets Aamir’s family and friends

Aamir Khan recently introduced Gauri Spratt to his children, his family, and close friends, including Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. On March 12, both actors visited Aamir’s house to meet her.

Aamir Khan’s birthday celebration

As Aamir Khan turns 60, he shared that he has planned a family dinner to celebrate the occasion, and Gauri Spratt will be a part of the gathering.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently expressed his intrigue regarding the public’s interest in a sequel to his beloved 2007 film Jab We Met. This renewed curiosity comes on the heels of actors Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan sharing a stage at the recent 25th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Jaipur, which many fans eagerly celebrated as a nostalgic reunion of their iconic characters, Aditya and Geet.

During an interaction with PTI, Ali remarked, “It’s fascinating that people are linking Shahid and Kareena’s meeting at IIFA to Jab We Met. Shahid mentioned that he believes I have moved on from the film, but I think everyone has. It’s been a significant amount of time since the film’s release.”

Despite the enduring love for the romantic drama, which tells the story of a heartbroken businessman and a free-spirited woman, Ali doesn’t plan to make a sequel. “We should cherish what we have rather than risk tarnishing it with a sequel,” he stated. While he acknowledges the talent and charm of both actors, he clarified that he is not currently developing a project that involves them together.

Ali, known for a variety of feature films including Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, Tamasha, Highway, and Amar Singh Chamkila, shared his thoughts while walking the red carpet at the I View World Film Festival on Wednesday. The event kicked off with a screening of My Melbourne, an anthology created in collaboration with directors like Onir, Rima Das, and Kabir Khan.

Additionally, Ali is set to release a new film titled Jules, which explores the unique friendship between a newlywed food blogger and a homeless woman in Melbourne. “This is a film featuring a very diverse cast with numerous voices, genders, nationalities, and languages. I’m excited about its premiere on March 14 during Holi, celebrated across India,” he enthused.

The festival, organized by Engendered—a trans-national arts and human rights organization—will take place at the exquisite Travancore Palace and will continue until March 16.