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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bhool Chuk Maaf box office collection day 10: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi film inches closer to Rs 60 crore; faces Housefull 5, Thug Life challenge ahead
Debutant director Karan Sharma's romantic comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, crossed the Rs 50 crore mark over its second weekend. In the process, it's come close to breaching the Rs 60 crore mark. The movie is backed by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films. On its second Sunday, Bhool Chuk Maaf collected Rs 6.25 crore, an improvement on its Saturday earnings of Rs 5.25 crore, which registered a further spike from its Friday collection of Rs 3.25 crore. Its earnings on the second Sunday were the highest since its collection on its first Sunday (Rs 11.5 crore). As per Sacnilk, the current domestic box office collection of Bhool Chuk Maaf stands at Rs 58.85 crore. When it crossed the Rs 50 crore mark over this past weekend, it already surpassed other films of this year, like John Abraham's The Diplomat (Rs 40.73 crore), the Hindi dubbed version of Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer (Rs 37.47 crore), the re-release earnings of Sanam Teri Kasam (Rs 35.55 crore), and Shahid Kapoor-starrer Deva (Rs 33.97 crore). On Sunday, Bhool Chuk Maaf had the maximum occupancy in the evening shows (31.65%), followed by the afternoon shows (27.80%), the night shows (18.95%), and the morning shows (9.02%). It scored the maximum occupancy in Chennai (80.67%), followed by Chandigarh (26.75%), Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru (26.25%). Bhool Chuk Maaf's next target is a tall one — Gopichand Malineni's action film Jaat, starring Sunny Deol, which earned Rs 90.34 crore at the domestic box office. However, given its current trajectory, it's highly unlikely the film will get even close. It only has four weekdays before its exceptionally early digital premiere on Prime Video India this Friday on June 6. Also, other tentpole films like Akshay Kumar-starrer whodunit comedy Housefull 5 and the Hindi dubbed version of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam's crime thriller Thug Life will hit cinemas on June 6 and June 5 respectively. These would further thwart Bhool Chuk Maaf's chances of growth at the box office. Last month, leading multiplex chain PVR INOX had moved the court challenging Maddock Films' decision to release Bhool Chuk Maaf on OTT instead of theatres due to the heightened national security concerns amid the India-Pakistan conflict. PVR Inox alleged a breach of contract by Maddock Films. As per the agreement dated May 6, the film was to release in cinemas across India on May 9 and would not be released on OTT or any other platform for a period of eight weeks thereafter. But the producers terminated the agreement just a day before the release and announced an OTT release on May 16. Also Read — Bhool Chuk Maaf movie review: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi film feels like poor man's Brahmastra Later, it was agreed that Bhool Chuk Maaf will first release in cinemas on May 23. As a one-off case, it'll then release on Prime Video India just two weeks later on June 6. The usual window between theatrical and streaming release is eight weeks.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Keri Russell admits she's ‘still not sure' she wants to be an actress but ‘really loves' her job right now
Keri Russell creates magic on ordinary days. But that doesn't mean she's too tethered to the job title actress. In fact, Russell, 49, recently revealed how she views her career in Hollywood. 'I didn't grow up desperate to be an actress,' the star said while at the Hollywood Reporter's Drama Actress Roundtable. 'I'm still not sure I want to be. But I really love my job right now. There are a lot of things that are still embarrassing to me. I'm not a performer at ease.' Advertisement 8 Dame Helen Mirren, Kathy Bates, Niecy Nash-Betts, Parker Posey, Keri Russell and Cristin Milioti. Beau Grealy for 'The Hollywood Reporter' 8 Keri Russell for The Hollywood Reporter. Beau Grealy @beaugrealy However, when it comes to Russell's partner of nine years, Matthew Rhys, he's all in for his craft. Advertisement '[With] Matthew, for instance, I'll say, 'What are you doing this week?' And he'll go, 'Oh, I'm just going to do this play reading. I haven't done a German or Russian accent in a while and I just want to try it out,'' she revealed. 'That's my nightmare! I would f–king die. I don't want to f–king do that in front of strangers! For me, there's a real push-pull. I still have to overcome the obstacle of being nervous, but this version of TV that we're in works for me.' Russell rose to fame while starring in the drama series 'Felicity' from 1998 to 2002. 8 The Hollywood Reporter shoot. Beau Grealy @beaugrealy 8 Keri Russell in 'The Diplomat.' ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement On the show, the actress played Felicity Porter, who discovers what life is really like after graduating high school, opposite Scott Speedman and Scott Foley. When the series wrapped, Russell left Los Angeles for New York and never moved back. 'I like my regular life,' she confessed at the roundtable. 'It's always such a funny thing when you see any big, super famous movie star. We've all worked with those people. I think [about how] they can't even go outside. They don't know what it's like to be a real person. They don't get their own coffee. They don't do their own laundry.' 'How do they play a real person? I don't want to talk shit too much about acting. I am completely married to the adventure of it, and that's what I'm in it for,' Russell added. 'I love to [shoot] in some strange city — it could be Paris or some little Southern town — and learn the city, meet new people and find my little thing.' 8 Keri Russell in 'August Rush' in 2007. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement 8 Keri Russell in 'Cocaine Bear.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Felicity' went on to win her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1999. Over the years, the 'Waitress' alum has had a slew of iconic roles. From 2013 to 2018, Russell played KGB spy Elizabeth Jennings opposite Rhys, 50, as her on-screen husband and fellow KGB spy, Phillip on the FX series 'The Americans.' It was also on that drama, that her romance with the 'Burnt' actor began. 8 Keri Russell, Edward Norton in the 2009 film 'Leaves of Grass.' First Look International/Courtesy Everett Collection Now Russell stars on Netflix's 'The Diplomat,' with its third season set to premiere in the fall. Although she's worked in a variety of genres over the years, the Hollywood vet can't help but look back at typecasting that went on in the early days. As she put it, 'I went through a phase where it was just a nice pregnant mom. That was a Keri Russell type.' Advertisement 8 Keri Russell attends the European premiere of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.'for Disney Which felt like almost every other role for Russell. 'A lot of times,' she reiterated. 'A lot.'
NDTV
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Bhool Chuk Maaf Box Office Collection Day 6: Next Stop For Rajkummar Rao And Wamiqa Gabbi's Film
New Delhi: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's romantic comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf continues its steady run at the domestic box office. It has managed to attract consistent footfall during its limited two-week theatrical run. What On Wednesday, Bhool Chuk Maaf collected Rs 3.25 crore, marking a decline from its earnings earlier in the week. After hitting its highest single-day collection of Rs 11.5 crore on Sunday, the numbers dipped to Rs 9.5 crore on Saturday and Rs 7 crore on Friday. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film's total domestic box office collection stands at Rs 40.5 crore. Background With this, Bhool Chuk Maaf has already surpassed the lifetime collection of Deva (Rs 33.97 crore), a cop thriller starring Shahid Kapoor, and the Hindi dubbed version of Game Changer (Rs 37.47 crore), featuring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani. Bhool Chuk Maaf is now close to overtaking The Diplomat, the John Abraham-starrer that earned Rs 40.75 crore. It has also crossed the re-release earnings of Sanam Teri Kasam, which collected Rs 35.55 crore. The film has about a week's window before two major releases enter cinemas. On June 5, the Hindi dubbed version of Mani Ratnam's Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, Simbu and Trisha, is scheduled to release. A day later, Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani and featuring an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff, will arrive in theatres. Bhool Chuk Maaf is directed by Karan Sharma and marks the first on-screen collaboration between Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film also features Seema Pahwa, Raghubir Yadav, Zakir Hussain, and Sanjay Mishra. It is presented by Maddock Films in association with Amazon MGM Studios. The film was initially set for release on May 9, but due to heightened security measures across India following Operation Sindoor, the makers postponed its theatrical release. It was later announced that the film would premiere directly on Prime Video India the following week. However, after legal action from multiplex chain PVR INOX citing breach of contract, the matter was settled. As a result, Bhool Chuk Maaf was released in theatres on May 23, with its digital release on Prime Video India scheduled for June 6. In A Nutshell With a domestic total of Rs 40.5 crore, Bhool Chuk Maaf is holding its ground ahead of its June 6 digital release. The film has outperformed several recent titles and is set to surpass The Diplomat at the box office in the coming days.
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Uzma Ahmed's story inspired The Diplomat but what motivated her to escape captivity in Pakistan? Her answer gave John Abraham goosebumps
Uzma Ahmed's harrowing experience of being trapped and forced into marriage in Pakistan in 2017 became a symbol of resilience. Her courageous escape, aided by Indian diplomat JP Singh, inspired the film 'The Diplomat.' The movie portrays Uzma's ordeal and the diplomatic efforts to secure her safe return to India, highlighting her determination to reunite with her daughter. Uzma Ahmed said that its not the girl, but the mother, who was brave enough to fight for her freedom and finally came back to India. (Photo- T-Series YouTube/Imdb) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is the story of Uzma Ahmed? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads When Uzma Ahmed was trapped in the remote terrains of northern Pakistan, her story became a symbol of grit and hope. A survivor of deception and captivity, Uzma's courageous escape and return to India in 2017 turned her into a beacon of light for countless trafficking victims. Years later, her real-life ordeal inspired a gripping film, The Diplomat, drawing actors John Abraham and Sadia to meet the woman whose strength now fuels a cinematic an interview with Instant Bollywood, when Sadia praised Uzma's courage, she humbly responded that it's not the girl (in her) who's brave, it's the mother. Uzma revealed that her sole reason to fight and return home was her daughter, Falak. The only thought in my mind was: I have a daughter. I have to see her again. I must go back,' she said. She recalled how, when she arrived in Pakistan, she didn't know they were supposed to register her entry at the embassy, something they deliberately skipped. It was later, she shared, that JP Sir raised a critical point that if her perpetrators had not done any wrong, why was her entry never officially recorded then?In 2017, Uzma Ahmed, a young mother from Delhi, found herself at the center of an international crisis after being forced into marriage at gunpoint in Pakistan. What began as a hopeful romantic connection quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Her desperate plea for help led her to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, setting off a high-stakes diplomatic rescue mission led by Indian Foreign Service officer JP Singh . Her harrowing experience and eventual escape now form the foundation of the recent movie 'The Diplomat', a gripping political thriller starring John Abraham as Singh and Sadia Khateeb as story began when she met Taher Ali in Malaysia. Believing he was kind and trustworthy, she accepted his invitation to visit Pakistan. He even promised to help care for her daughter, who suffered from thalassemia. But once she arrived in Pakistan, the reality shattered her expectations. Taher turned out to be already married with children and forced Uzma into marrying him at gunpoint and she was held for her life and desperate to return to her daughter in India, Uzma fled to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. That's where she met JP Singh, the then Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, who quickly became her lifeline. Singh's decision to help Uzma was not only morally right but also fraught with political consequences. Providing her refuge inside the embassy, legally considered Indian territory, triggered a diplomatic presence in the High Commission set the stage for a complex international legal battle. According to Pakistani law, she needed her husband's permission to leave the country, a deeply problematic requirement in her situation. The embassy, led by Singh, immediately filed a legal petition for her safe return to India, but the case stalled in Pakistani with growing legal and political hurdles, Singh reached out to India's then External Affairs Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj , known for her resolute stance on protecting Indian citizens abroad. Together, they carefully navigated the tightrope of diplomacy while fiercely advocating for Uzma's rights. Singh arranged for legal representation in Pakistan, ensured Uzma's safety within the embassy, and helped her file a counter-petition stating that she had been coerced into the weeks, Singh juggled media scrutiny, political pressure, and cross-border sensitivities while making sure Uzma's voice was heard in the courts. After intense legal proceedings, the Islamabad High Court finally ruled in Uzma's favor. On May 25, 2017, she crossed the Wagah border and returned safely to India, greeted not only by her family but also by an entire nation that had followed her story with concern and by Shivam Nair, The Diplomat dramatizes this powerful real-life incident, with John Abraham portraying JP Singh and Sadia Khateeb bringing Uzma's ordeal to the screen.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Uzma Ahmed's story inspired The Diplomat but what motivated her to escape captivity in Pakistan? Her answer gave John Abraham goosebumps
When Uzma Ahmed was trapped in the remote terrains of northern Pakistan, her story became a symbol of grit and hope. A survivor of deception and captivity, Uzma's courageous escape and return to India in 2017 turned her into a beacon of light for countless trafficking victims. Years later, her real-life ordeal inspired a gripping film, The Diplomat, drawing actors John Abraham and Sadia to meet the woman whose strength now fuels a cinematic retelling. In an interview with Instant Bollywood, when Sadia praised Uzma's courage, she humbly responded that it's not the girl (in her) who's brave, it's the mother. Uzma revealed that her sole reason to fight and return home was her daughter, Falak. The only thought in my mind was: I have a daughter. I have to see her again. I must go back,' she said. She recalled how, when she arrived in Pakistan, she didn't know they were supposed to register her entry at the embassy, something they deliberately skipped. It was later, she shared, that JP Sir raised a critical point that if her perpetrators had not done any wrong, why was her entry never officially recorded then? What is the story of Uzma Ahmed? In 2017, Uzma Ahmed, a young mother from Delhi, found herself at the center of an international crisis after being forced into marriage at gunpoint in Pakistan. What began as a hopeful romantic connection quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Her desperate plea for help led her to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, setting off a high-stakes diplomatic rescue mission led by Indian Foreign Service officer JP Singh . Her harrowing experience and eventual escape now form the foundation of the recent movie 'The Diplomat', a gripping political thriller starring John Abraham as Singh and Sadia Khateeb as Uzma. Uzma's story began when she met Taher Ali in Malaysia. Believing he was kind and trustworthy, she accepted his invitation to visit Pakistan. He even promised to help care for her daughter, who suffered from thalassemia. But once she arrived in Pakistan, the reality shattered her expectations. Taher turned out to be already married with children and forced Uzma into marrying him at gunpoint and she was held captive. Fearing for her life and desperate to return to her daughter in India, Uzma fled to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. That's where she met JP Singh, the then Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, who quickly became her lifeline. Singh's decision to help Uzma was not only morally right but also fraught with political consequences. Providing her refuge inside the embassy, legally considered Indian territory, triggered a diplomatic standoff. Uzma's presence in the High Commission set the stage for a complex international legal battle. According to Pakistani law, she needed her husband's permission to leave the country, a deeply problematic requirement in her situation. The embassy, led by Singh, immediately filed a legal petition for her safe return to India, but the case stalled in Pakistani courts. Faced with growing legal and political hurdles, Singh reached out to India's then External Affairs Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj , known for her resolute stance on protecting Indian citizens abroad. Together, they carefully navigated the tightrope of diplomacy while fiercely advocating for Uzma's rights. Singh arranged for legal representation in Pakistan, ensured Uzma's safety within the embassy, and helped her file a counter-petition stating that she had been coerced into the marriage. For weeks, Singh juggled media scrutiny, political pressure, and cross-border sensitivities while making sure Uzma's voice was heard in the courts. After intense legal proceedings, the Islamabad High Court finally ruled in Uzma's favor. On May 25, 2017, she crossed the Wagah border and returned safely to India, greeted not only by her family but also by an entire nation that had followed her story with concern and hope. Directed by Shivam Nair, The Diplomat dramatizes this powerful real-life incident, with John Abraham portraying JP Singh and Sadia Khateeb bringing Uzma's ordeal to the screen.
