The Diplomat Review: Heroic true story of Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and his relentless efforts to bring an Indian girl to home from Pakistan
The Diplomat Movie Rating: 3 Stars
Watched The Diplomat movie in Cinema. Let’s focus on the complete details, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this movie.
Cast: John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, Jagjeet Sandhu and Revathy
Director: Shivam Nair
Release Date: 14th March 2025 in cinema
Story: Movie inspired by the real-life rescue of Uzma Ahmed, revolves around Indian diplomat J P Singh (John Abraham) who finds himself in the middle of a very uncomfortable diplomatic situation. A woman, Uzma (Sadia Khateeb) shows up at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan, claiming she’s been abducted by a Pakistani man Tahir (Jagjeet Sandhu) who tricked her into a marriage.
J.P. Singh steps in to find whether Uzma is faking or whether hers is a genuine case. Once he knows that Uzma has not spun a sob story, his sole mission is to help her return back to India. But the challenges are immense. Even if they get all the official help, the hostile elements of Pakistan can prove to be detrimental.
It follows his strategic moves to make Uzma return back home to India to her daughter. How J.P. Singh, along with Sushma Swaraj (Revathi) succeed in his mission is all about this movie.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Cinematography
3. Story
4. Direction
Negatives
1. Length
2. 1st half
3. Screenplay
4. Climax
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this film planned to watch this movie in cinemas on release day as loved the trailer and also its based on true incidents. The Deputy High Commissioner, J.P. Singh, faces an unusual crisis when a mysterious woman rushes inside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, claiming to be an Indian citizen and seeking a return to India.
The Diplomat story is based on a real-life incident when Sushma Swaraj was the external affairs minister of India, and J.P. Singh was the Indian diplomat in Islamabad. The film avoids jingoism and instead focuses on the complexities of diplomacy, presenting a balanced and intelligent narrative. The complex world of diplomacy and the awkward relationship shared by India and Pakistan are depicted in a clear and simple manner. The way the protagonist navigates through the complexities and how he has established a strong network makes for an interesting watch. But what works the most is an innocent Indian woman being forcefully kept captive that too in the most hostile part of Pakistan. Her pain is depicted in a hard-hitting manner and hence, viewers get her full support. The tactics deployed by her husband and ISI raise tension levels, especially when the Indian convoy is confronted at the traffic signal. The film captures the oppressive reality for women in conflict zones with authenticity, avoiding unnecessary dramatization. The fear Uzma experiences is palpable, and the dialogue remains restrained yet effective. The courtroom sequence is unlike one has seen in any film as Uzma is threatened and how. The final act is nail-biting, and the film ends on a clap worthy note. John Abraham delivers one of his most nuanced performances as the empathetic and resolute diplomat. Shivam Nair’s direction is quite nice, but the human drama ought to have been handled more sensitively. The thrill and sense of achievement is missing in the narration and drama.
While the film starts off slowly, it steadily draws viewers in, establishing the harrowing reality of Uzma’s captivity. The tension peaks when a desperate Uzma seizes her chance and finds refuge in the Indian Embassy, setting the stage for a gripping diplomatic standoff. The makers spent the first half establishing the characters and explaining how Uzma got stuck in Pakistan. This part is a bit slow. The intermission point gives a feeling that one is watching a festival film. Lastly, the makers don’t focus on Uzma’s life in India. Even her daughter is hardly shown, and one doesn’t get to know much about how her folks were doing when she was stuck in Pakistan. The absence of these scenes dents the impact to an extent. The direct exchange between the Indian and Pakistani ministries, rather than the embassy simply relaying messages, could have heightened the intensity. The emotional high which the viewers should’ve experienced when Uzma wins the court case and again when she crosses the Wagah border is missing. Also, her victory in the court seems to be quite easy. The tension-ridden moments when Uzma is being given shelter in the Indian High Commission office in Islamabad aren’t as exciting as they ought to have been. It’s a thriller that forgets to thrill. Editing and pacing issues don’t help either.
Overall, movie is a refreshing departure from conventional Bollywood thrillers, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally charged narrative. With stellar performances, intelligent writing, and a focus on diplomacy over action, it’s a film that stands out for its substance and depth. A good one time watch for fans of political dramas and nuanced storytelling. My view on this movie Recommended.
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