The Diplomat Review: Flawed But Watchable!

Shivam Nair’s The Diplomat aims to be a gripping political thriller, diving into the high-stakes world of international diplomacy. With John Abraham leading the charge as real-life Indian diplomat J. P. Singh, the film is set against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations, exploring the complex intersection of politics, morality, and personal conflict. While the concept holds immense potential, the execution stumbles, weighed down by unnecessary dramatization and a lack of nuance.

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The film follows J. P. Singh as he becomes entangled in the case of Uzma Ahmed (Sadia Khateeb), an Indian woman who claims to have been abducted and forced into marriage in Pakistan. The story presents a compelling conflict—balancing the bureaucratic hurdles of diplomacy with the emotional and ethical dilemmas of Singh’s position.

One of the biggest missteps of The Diplomat is its tendency to inject masala or commercial elements that feel out of place in a political thriller. While tension naturally exists in a story like this, the filmmakers amplify it with over-the-top sequences that undermine the film’s realism or the grounded methodology. A more restrained approach would have made the story feel organic rather than theatrical.

Despite these flaws, John Abraham delivers a solid performance, embodying the stoic resilience of a diplomat under pressure. His portrayal adds some credibility to the film, even when the screenplay falters. While Abraham carries the film with his restrained performance, the same cannot be said for the character of Uzma Ahmed. Sadia Khateeb, despite her screen presence, is let down by weak writing that fails to do justice to her role. Instead of portraying Uzma as a victim of manipulation or coercion, the film reduces her to a one-dimensional character who often appears naïve to the point of frustration.

pic.twitter.com/bZCmZwcs7z

— Sadia Khateeb (@sadiakhateeb) February 13, 2025

One of the film’s most glaring missteps is its climax. The chase sequence toward the end, meant to inject suspense, feels completely unrealistic and out of place in a film that should have thrived on political tension rather than action-movie theatrics. Instead of building a gripping, dialogue-driven resolution, The Diplomat resorts to Bollywood-style exaggeration that diminishes its impact.

The supporting cast and the overall production values are decent, with a solid depiction of embassy life and the bureaucratic red tape involved in such high-stakes cases. However, the film ultimately lacks the depth and realism that could have made it a standout political thriller. Overall, The Diplomat is an ambitious film that falls short in execution. While the premise is strong and John Abraham delivers, the film’s unnecessary dramatization and underdeveloped female lead weaken its emotional and narrative impact.

‘The Diplomat’ Rating – 2.75/5

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