The Diplomat” is a new thriller that has some exciting moments, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark to be a perfect movie. Directed by Shivam Nair, who made “Naam Shabana,” and featuring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb, this film tells the real-life story of Uzma Ahmad. Uzma was brought back to India in 2017 after being tricked by a Pakistani man. She claims she was forced to marry him at gunpoint and was abused.
What Works Well:
The movie pulls you in from the start. Uzma seeks help from the Indian Embassy in Pakistan, creating a tense atmosphere. John Abraham plays diplomat JP Singh, but instead of being a tough guy, he is more restrained in his acting. While his character’s past does add some depth, it feels a bit unnecessary.
The film has a strong pace, especially in the second half with thrilling car chases and intense moments. The ending gives a satisfying answer to how Uzma returns home across the India-Pakistan border.
What Could Be Better:
However, some choices in the film are puzzling. John’s character is given a sad backstory and a family, which seems to slow things down. There are also moments where the film tries to make digs at Pakistan, which feels out of place since this isn’t just a patriotic movie.
Among the actors, Sadia shines as Uzma, showing her fear and pain convincingly. Revathy, playing the former minister Sushma Swaraj, makes a strong impression despite limited screen time. Other actors like Sharib Hashmi and Jagjeet Sandhu add to the mix but don’t have as much impact.
Overall, “The Diplomat” has the right elements to be a great thriller but doesn’t quite pull it off. It deserves 3.5 stars for its effort.
Leave a Reply