Shivam Nair the Diplomat is a tense political thriller that keeps you engaged but falls short of being a perfect film. Starring John Abraham as diplomat JP Singh and Sadia Khateeb as Uzma Ahmad, it is based on a true story from 2017. Uzma, an Indian woman, was trapped in a forced marriage in Pakistan and fought a tough legal battle to return home. The film builds suspense well but has a few drawbacks that stop it from being truly great.
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John Abraham New Avatar
Unlike his usual action-packed roles, John Abraham plays a calm and composed diplomat here. He doesn’t fight or chase bad guys but focuses on using his intelligence. However, his expressions remain flat at times, making his performance feel a bit dull.
Engaging and Tense Storyline
The film starts with Uzma arriving at the Indian Embassy in Pakistan, desperately seeking help. From there, the tension keeps building, making you eager to see what happens next. Unlike many thrillers that lose steam after the interval, The Diplomat stays intense, especially in the second half. Uzma’s escape is shown in a gripping way, making it the highlight of the film.
What Doesn’t Work?
One of the biggest issues is the unnecessary backstory given to John’s character. The film adds a past trauma and emotional family scenes that don’t add much to the story. Also, while the film avoids over-the-top patriotism, it still has a few unnecessary India-Pakistan rivalry moments. The last scene, where John’s character makes a sarcastic remark about Pakistan, feels forced and out of place.
Standout Performances
Sadia Khateeb delivers a strong performance as Uzma, making you feel her fear and struggle. Revathy, playing former Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, is impactful despite her short screen time. Jagjeet Sandhu is convincing as the villain Tahir, while Kumud Mishra shines as advocate NM Sayyed.
Final Verdict
The Diplomat is a well-made thriller that keeps you hooked with its smart storytelling and fast pace. However, its forced emotional scenes and unnecessary dialogues take away from the experience. With a tighter script, it could have been an exceptional film. Despite its flaws, it is worth a watch and deserves a 3.5-star rating.
