Your friends are right.

It is Cephrenes acalle female.
This species is extremely variable in India.

It matches this one perfectly.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...upta_aj672.jpg

The upperside (pic 3) is confusing in that it has reduced spots ie the large spot in space 1b is absent & so the appearance is like most Thoressa species.
Typical C. acalle females upperside.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...1a85cc9c-3.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...fa7dc655-1.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.