'The Diplomat' Review: Know Whether John Abraham Starrer Is Successful In Conveying The Reality

After John Abraham impressed the netizens with his geo-political knowledge in his recent interviews, he was successful in creating the buzz for his film, The Diplomat. The film has finally dropped on Netflix, and netizens can't stop talking about The Diplomat, which claims to be based on the real-life story of Uzma Ahmed, who sought refuge in India's embassy in Pakistan. Directed by Shivam Nair, the film stars John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, Jagjit Sandhu, Sharib Hashmi, Kumud Mishra and more. Many people are wondering if the film has been able to convey the real-life story of Uzma Ahmed or not. If you are one of them, read more to know whether the John Abraham starrer is successful in conveying reality and if it offers a good watch. 

The Diplomat's plot vs Historical accuracy 

The Diplomat is set in 2017 where the film follows the real-life journey of Uzma, played by Sadia Khateeb, who goes to Pakistan to marry a man she believes is she found the love of her life in a man named, Tahir. Uzma has a daughter who deals with thalassemia and he assures that she could heal in his native place. However, after reaching there, she realises that she was tricked into it because the man she loved was already married with children. What follows is a true nightmare for Uzma, where she faces forced marriage, domestic abuse and more until she bravely manages to escape. She goes to the Indian embassy in Pakistan, where she meets a diplomat, JP Singh, played by John Abraham. He takes the responsibility to send her back to India. In real life, the operation was conducted under the leadership of then external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj.

The Diplomat is able to convey the real-life story in comparison to other similar films. However, it does take some creative liberties like confusing the embassy with high commission and omitting some details from Uzma Ahmed's background. At some points, it feels disconnected from reality, where it focuses more on nationalism than offering a glimpse into complex diplomacy or intense cross-border situations. Moreover, the fictional attack on Indian diplomats with a disclaimer about its authenticity showcases the maker's hesitancy in conveying the exact true tale.

The Diplomat cast: John Abraham isn't seen in his usual action avatar

John Abraham is among the fittest actors in Bollywood, and fans love to watch him engage in some action. But that doesn't happen in The Diplomat, where he plays the role of a sophisticated diplomat, 'JP Singh'. The actor portrays the role well, but sometimes, he keeps a stotic expression, making his performance fall short of excellence. In contrast, Sadia Khateeb shines on-screen as Uzma Ahmed. She makes the audience feel the turmoil of Uzma by aptly expressing her pain and strength. Apart from them, Kumud Mishra, who plays the role of a Pakistani lawyer and Sharib Hashmi, an embassy official, provide solid support to the cast.

The Diplomat: What works and what not 

The Diplomat has a smooth pace and director, Shivam Nair has ensured that the film doesn't lag. Some dialogues which aim to incite patriotism amid the Indo-Pak relationship, like "Yeh Pakistan hai, yaha threat se hi kaam hota hai", feel impactful. At the same time, Revathy's brief portrayal of former EAM, Sushma Swaraj reminds the audience of her exceptional work. However, the film lacks credibility in places, the simple screenplay fails to convey the real-life complex diplomacy, and some scenes lack emotional depth.

What does the audience have to say about The Diplomat?

After The Diplomat dropped on Netflix on May 9, 2025, several netizens shared their reviews on X. One netizen praised the film's subtle tone and penned, "The Diplomat stays true to content focusing on the issue and getting the emotion high.! Takes a subtle tone for most, which works well through certain complex things portrayed simplistically and a few undone parts." Another user who was impressed by Sadia's performance penned, "Just watched The Diplomat on Netflix based on a true story. John Abraham delivers a fabulous performance, and the lead actress shines too! Definitely a must-watch this weekend."

What do you think about The Diplomat? Let us know in comments.

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