“The Diplomat Review: John Abraham Shines in This Gripping Political Thriller”

The Diplomat: An impactful drama
The Diplomat is a gripping drama, in which John Abraham plays the role of JP Singh—an Indian diplomat who navigates the complex corridors of Indo-Pak relations. Directed by Shivam Nair, the film is based on the true story of Uzma Ahmed’s struggling experience in Pakistan.
Highlights:
John Abraham in the lead role
Release on 14 March 2025
Read our detailed review
Starts with Gandhiji’s famous quote
The film begins with the inspiring words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“If I believe that I can do it, I shall certainly acquire the ability to do it, even if I do not have it at the beginning.”
This quote beautifully reflects the experience of The Diplomat.
Movie Summary
Shivam Nair’s thriller stars John Abraham as JP Singh, India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, while Sadia Khateeb plays Uzma Ahmed—an Indian woman who is duped into landing in Pakistan and suffers a lot there.
The film starts off on a slow note, but a strong screenplay and the dedication of the cast take it to a thrilling climax. There is no room for error in films based on real events, especially when the protagonist of the story is a genuine and honourable person.
Beyond clichés, closer to reality
The Diplomat takes a balanced and realistic approach, staying away from the nationalistic wave of traditional Indo-Pak dramas. The film allows the characters to grow in depth, which keeps the story authentic.
Creative direction and impressive performances
Nair sometimes presents the story in a linear fashion, and at other times unravels the layers of the past through flashbacks. The dialogues are simple, but effective, and the emotions in the film don’t feel fake. A political thriller needs edginess to make it a success, and this film passes that test.
Performance: John Abraham’s outstanding performance
John Abraham takes his acting to another level in The Diplomat. He is restrained but impressive in the role of JP Singh. His performance is not showy but full of nuances. His silences and gestures make more of an impact than his dialogues.
Sadia Khatib is superb as Uzma Ahmed. She is completely immersed in the character and brings depth to every scene with her acting. Jagjeet Sandhu, as Tariq, is a strong antagonist, while Revathi (as Sushma Swaraj), Kumud Mishra and Sharib Hashmi also give excellent supporting performances.
Shortcomings and Conclusion
The first half of the film seems inconsistent in some dialogues and scenes, and JP Singh’s relationship with his family could have been explored in more depth. The flashbacks to Uzma’s time in Pakistan needed better editing.
But despite this, The Diplomat’s biggest strengths are its balanced narrative, realistic characters and strong performances. Without unnecessary songs or distractions, the film stays true to its purpose—to effectively present a true story.