'The Diplomat' Movie Review: Not just John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb’s performance as Uzma Ahmed is mind blowing in an explosive political drama

Language: Hindi

Director: Shivam Nair

Cast: John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, Revathy, Kumud Mishra

The Diplomat is in fact John Abraham’s career best performance. Directed by Shivam Nair with John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb as leads, the movie revolves around the real-life story of Uzma Ahmed’s (Sadia Khateeb) brave escape from Pakistan with the help of JP Singh (John Abraham).

John plays the role of diplomat JP Singh, a man of few words but strong-headed and knows his job like the back of his hand. Serving in Pakistan as a diplomat is not an easy job and he knows exactly how to deal with the rowdy Pakistani crowd and mentions again and again to his colleagues that ‘this isn’t India’. The movie shows the lawlessness of the country and how some people of Pakistan, not all, are wired differently. It is indeed very refreshing to see a powerful woman protagonist played by Sadia Khateeb.

A very engaging espionage film,  _The Diplomat_ deals with finer details of diplomacy. It is not a typical high-octane action packed drama where we see John flexing his muscles, it is indeed far from it where he is shown as a very firm, sorted and no-nonsense diplomat. It tells the real life story of Uzma Ahmed who was forced to get married and held captive by her husband in Pakistan’s Buner in 2017. For a change it is very refreshing to see John not punching and knocking down people, rather he is doing it with his sharp intellect. The starkness of the storytelling is kept consistent with no violence and unnecessary melodrama.

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As for Sadia Khateeb, she is indeed the real hero of the film. The narrative is well-researched, sharp and brisk. No running around the bush, no over-stretching; it is just to the point with the right intensity. The movie takes a turn when Uzma tries her luck as advised by her friend’s husband to take refuge in the Indian Embassy in Islamabad. The Diplomat will no doubt keep the audiences glued to the screen with brilliant performances of all the actors including Kumud Mishra who plays the role of Uzma’s lawyer and Revathy who plays the role of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Through the film we get to know how Uzma Ahmad was rescued because of the hugely brave efforts of the staff of the Indian Embassy, Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh (John Abraham) and the then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (Revathy). We also get to know how the situation got tensed up because of Kulbhushan Jadhav case and how it affected the Indo-Pak relationship.  Not just the storytelling and the performances by all the actors; it’s a beautifully shot film with very fine camera work. The Diplomat is indeed an incredibly riveting cinema and a must-watch.

Rating: 3 and half out of 5

WATCH the trailer of The Diplomat movie here: