The Diplomat Review: John Abraham's Indo-Pak Drama Is Flawed But A Worthy Watch
The Diplomat Review: John Abraham's film is finally in theatres but is it worth watching? Read our review here.
The DiplomatU/A
The Diplomat Review: John Abraham’s much-anticipated action-drama The Diplomat is finally in theatres. Directed by Shivam Nair, the film also features Sadia Khatib, Revathy, and Kumud Mishra in key roles. The Diplomat kicks off with an intense opening scene that throws us right into the thick of things. A film on Indo-Pak tensions, and that too based on a true story — what else do you need to conquer the box office?
The plot follows Uzma Ahmed, an Indian woman who unknowingly walks into a nightmare when she gets abducted and is forced to marry a man in Pakistan. The movie starts with her daring escape to the Indian embassy, seeking refuge. And John Abraham as JP Singh, the Indian ambassador to Pakistan, fights against all odds to bring her back home safely. Based on the real-life ordeal of Uzma Ahmed, who was brought back to India in 2017 after allegedly being honey-trapped and forced into marriage at gunpoint, the film sets up a high-stakes diplomatic rescue mission.
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On paper, this film has all the right ingredients for a gripping political thriller. It keeps us hooked with edge-of-the-seat moments, a tight background score and a somewhat solid narrative structure. But while it packs a punch, it doesn’t quite land a knockout.
If you’re expecting John Abraham to go into full-blown action hero mode, think again. The film’s title says it all. However, his brooding intensity is spot-on, but the emotional depth of his character feels a little underdeveloped.
Among the cast, Sadia Khateeb as Uzma delivers a performance that effectively captures her terrified state of mind. Add to that a banger casting choice with Revathy portraying the late External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj! Though she has limited screen time, she leaves a lasting impact.
Jagjeet Sandhu as the abusive Tahir is convincingly unsettling, while Kumud Mishra, as advocate NM Sayyed, brings his usual effortless charm to the mix. On the flip side, Sharib Hashmi’s role feels underutilized — definitely a missed opportunity.
Visually, the film nails the tension and urgency of the mission, with cinematography that adds to the overall suspense. But the screenplay? That’s where things start to wobble. Director Shivam Nair tries to weave in unnecessary subplots. Like JP Singh’s past trauma from a bombing—forcing an emotional connection that just doesn’t land. These detours slow down the pace, making the film feel longer than necessary.
And let’s talk about the humour—or rather, the forced attempts at it. In an otherwise intense narrative, the comic relief moments don’t quite hit the mark. However, major props to Shivam Nair for not turning this into another propaganda film. Instead, he delivers an authentic story with real names, making it all the more impactful. And those real-life clips at the end? That’s when the emotions truly hit home.
Overall, The Diplomat had all the potential to be a razor-sharp thriller but struggles to find its rhythm. A perfect thriller? Not quite. Worth a watch? Absolutely.
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