John Abraham's 'The Diplomat' Offers Gripping Political Drama Based on Real Events

The film balances tension, nuanced storytelling, and a restrained performance by Abraham, though moments of neighbor bashing detract from its subtlety.

The Diplomat, directed by Shivam Nair, is inspired by the real-life story of Uzma Ahmed, an Indian national rescued from Pakistan in 2017 after facing abuse and coercion.
John Abraham plays JP Singh, a diplomat leading the rescue mission, delivering a restrained performance that avoids typical action-hero tropes.
The film has been praised for its fast-paced narrative, measured dialogue, and avoidance of exaggerated nationalism, though some moments of neighbor bashing are present.
Sadia Khateeb stands out with a powerful portrayal of Uzma Ahmed, while Revathy makes a strong impact as the late Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Critics note that while the film is engaging and tense, unnecessary backstory elements and attempts to make it 'massy' with one-liners dilute its overall impact.