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“This is Pakistan. You can trust no one.”
The Diplomat features three to four such hard-hitting dialogues. Watching this film with minimal expectations will surely surprise you.
Here’s its story: The year is 2017. J. P. Singh is the head of the Indian embassy in Islamabad. One day, a terrified Uzma Ahmad appears before an embassy official, pleading, “I am Indian. I was deceived and trapped in Pakistan under hellish conditions. I was forcibly married. Please help!”
The matter reaches J. P. Singh. He has obvious questions: Is Muslim Uzma really Indian? Or is she Pakistani? Is it risky to offer her refuge? After an initial inquiry, Singh takes the risk and shelters Uzma in the embassy. Gradually, the truth unfolds…
Uzma met Pakistani cab driver Tahir during a visit to Malaysia to see her relatives. Tahir impressed her and convinced her that her thalassaemia-stricken daughter could be cured through naturopathy treatment in Pakistan. For her daughter’s sake, Uzma arrived in Pakistan on a tourist visa. However, Tahir took her to his native region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a place where even Pakistanis from other provinces hesitate to go.
Once there, Uzma saw Tahir’s true face.
Tahir is cunning and cruel. He deceives women, forces them into marriage, holds them captive, and even sells them. Uzma suffers the same fate. Using her wits, she somehow reaches the Indian embassy, her last hope, praying they can devise a way to send her back to India.
Without unnecessary dramatisation, The Diplomat moves at a slow but engaging pace. Uzma, J. P. Singh, and Tahir remain the focal points. India’s tense relationship with Pakistan is well known. Indians must strictly adhere to Pakistani laws—any mistake can be disastrous. The film explains these strict regulations. Uzma had a one-month visa, with only three weeks left. She must be sent back within this time frame, or the consequences could be dire.
Tahir and his associates are no less than terrorists. In their village, even children carry guns. In the film’s intermission scene, a child is shown brutally killing a woman who helped Uzma. Women there are mere objects, treated like slaves.
J. P. Singh contacts the Ministry of External Affairs for assistance. Then Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj does everything in her power to ensure Uzma’s safe return to India. However, in the end, the decision lies in the hands of the Pakistani court. Even if the ruling is favourable, Uzma must still evade Tahir and his men and safely cross the Wagah-Attari border into India.
Despite lacking high-octane elements, The Diplomat keeps viewers hooked. The story unfolds with gripping intensity. J. P. Singh’s determination, Uzma’s harrowing ordeal, and Pakistan’s precarious position are portrayed effectively. The film, based on real events, keeps the audience engaged until the climax. Moreover, there are no songs or unnecessary fluff. Some moments are truly gut-wrenching.
A particularly emotional scene features Sushma Swaraj assuring Uzma, “You are India’s daughter.” The final moments, where Uzma’s journey to the Wagah border is depicted, are dramatic yet compelling. The kind of execution this film has is not usual for our films.
Had the film featured a bigger star cast, its opening and box office collection would have been on another level. However, that does not mean John Abraham is miscast. In fact, such roles suit his persona perfectly.
Written by Ritesh Shah, The Diplomat is backed by JA Entertainment, Wakaoo Films (Vipul D. Shah of Optimystix fame), T-Series, Seeta Films, and Fortune Pictures. Manan Bharadwaj and Ishan Chhabra have composed the background score. Writing, production, and music—all three departments align well with the narrative. Kunal Walve’s editing is seamless. The makers have not used the film as a tool for Pakistan bashing. Yes, there are a few sharp dialogues, but they are situational, brief, and impactful.
The performances are commendable. John Abraham is pitch-perfect as J. P. Singh. Sadia Khateeb delivers a flawless performance as Uzma. Jagjeet Sandhu is convincing as Tahir. Ashwath Bhatt (of Raazi fame) portrays Pakistani ISI officer Malik with precision. Revathi is impactful as Sushma Swaraj. Kumud Mishra as embassy advocate Saeed and Sharib Hashmi as staff member Tiwari are well cast.
Last year, John Abraham produced Vedaa, a mediocre film about a Dalit girl, an aspiring boxer, and caste discrimination in Rajasthan. Had the subject been handled better, it could have made an impact. However, The Diplomat is a step ahead in terms of subject selection. Thankfully, it doesn’t suffer from Vedaa‘s weaknesses. The 137 minutes spent watching this film are not wasted.
Interestingly, the film begins with an unusually detailed disclaimer, not just in text but also in narration—something rarely seen in cinema.Overall, John’s films may not instantly attract audiences outside his fanbase—unless it’s something like Pathaan. But The Diplomat is worth watching, not just for his fans but also for general audiences. Its subtlety, strong narrative, and powerful performances make it a near-perfect thriller. Urban audiences will particularly appreciate it. Don’t miss it!
The Diplomat
Producers: John Abraham, Rajesh Bahl, Rakesh Dang, Sameer Dixit, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vipul D. Shah, Ashwin Varde, Jatish Varma
Director: Shivam Nair
Music: Mannan Bharadwaj, Ishan Chhabra
Banner: JA Entertainment, T-Series, Wakaoo Films, Seeta Films, Fortune Pictures
Rating: 3.5 Stars
