Skip to content 
Hey everyone, I’m back with another movie review, and this time, we’re talking about John Abraham’s latest film, Diplomat. Oh wait… did you even know this movie released? Yeah, neither did most of the audience!
Let’s be honest—Diplomat had almost zero marketing. No hype, no grand promotions, not even a single “John flexing his biceps on a talk show” moment. And to make things even worse, they released this film on Holi! I mean, seriously? People are out there drenched in colors, gulping down bhaang, and recovering from a massive food coma with their families. Who thought they’d suddenly wake up and say, “Hey, let’s go watch John Abraham’s new movie”?
But here’s the twist. Despite all these bad decisions, Diplomat is actually really good.
Rating: (4.0/5)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Diplomat |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Political Thriller |
| Director | Shivam Nair |
| Lead Actor | John Abraham |
| Supporting Cast | Sadia Khateeb, Revathy, Kumud Mishra, Jagjeet Sandhu, Sharib Hashmi |
A Story Rooted in Reality
Unlike your usual India-Pakistan patriotic dramas that scream “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” every two minutes, Diplomat keeps things grounded. This film is based on a real-life rescue mission carried out by Indian diplomat JP Singh, played by John Abraham.
The story kicks off in 2017 when an Indian Muslim girl, played by Saria Khateeb, finds herself trapped in Pakistan. Desperate and fearing for her life, she rushes to the Indian Embassy, pleading for help. Now, let’s be real—this is not your everyday embassy visa issue where people argue over paperwork. This is life or death. If she doesn’t get help, she’s done for.
Enter John Abraham as JP Singh, the man who takes on the impossible mission to bring her back home. But hold on—it’s not as easy as “just book a flight back.” This mission is politically charged, dangerous, and full of unexpected obstacles. The film doesn’t turn into a Rambo-style action fest, but rather a tense, calculated diplomatic thriller.
A Well-Researched Political Drama
One of the biggest strengths of Diplomat is that it doesn’t go overboard with jingoism. No chest-thumping dialogues, no “Pakistan is evil” chants every five minutes. Instead, the film presents the mission as a humanitarian act, showing the risks that diplomats take in such high-pressure situations.
And let’s appreciate the tight screenplay! Unlike those slow-burn thrillers that drag endlessly (cough some Bollywood courtroom dramas cough), Diplomat moves at a gripping pace. From the first scene to the last, the tension never drops.
John Abraham: Finally, a Role That Suits Him!
Let’s talk about John Abraham. Now, we all know that his acting range has always been… umm… “limited.” But guess what? Diplomat actually plays to his strengths!
John plays a serious, no-nonsense diplomat who speaks only when necessary, keeps his emotions in check, and executes his mission with precision. And guess what? That exactly suits John’s acting style! No forced emotions, no over-the-top melodrama—just John being cool and collected.
Let’s not forget that his last few solo films (Attack, Romeo Akbar Walter, Satyamev Jayate 2) all flopped. So, Diplomat is a crucial film for him. If this one doesn’t work, his solo career might be in serious trouble.
Supporting Cast: Solid Performances All Around
Apart from John, we have Revathi, who plays former Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. And let me tell you—she nails the role. The way she commands every scene with authority makes you wish she had more screen time.
Saria Khateeb, who plays the trapped Indian girl, delivers a mixed performance. Some scenes feel raw and powerful, while in others, she just seems to be reading lines without much emotion. Not a deal-breaker, but definitely something that stands out.
Jagjeet Sandhu, who you might remember as Tope Singh from Paatal Lok, is absolutely terrifying in this film. His villainous role makes you genuinely despise him, and by the end of the movie, you really want him to get what he deserves.
Cinematography & Music: Elevating the Thrill
Visually, Diplomat feels authentic. The locations, the embassy setting, the Pakistani streets—it all looks convincing. It doesn’t feel like some fake Bollywood set where everything is overly dramatic.
The background score adds a lot to the tension. It’s subtle yet impactful, never overshadowing the story. And guess what? No unnecessary patriotic songs! Thank God they didn’t throw in an emotional track with a slow-motion montage of the Indian flag waving in the wind every 10 minutes.
Recommended: Crazxy Movie Review: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller
Hard-Hitting Moments: Scenes That Stay With You
There are two standout scenes in Diplomat that will haunt you long after the credits roll.
- The ‘R**p’ Scene – Without giving spoilers, let’s just say this moment is one of the most intense sequences in the film. You’ll feel it in your gut.
- The Child Assassin Scene – A young boy is forced to shoot a woman, and his father actually celebrates it. The way this moment unfolds is chilling.
These scenes don’t just shock you—they show the harsh reality of what happens in real-life conflicts.
The Biggest Problem: Why Was This Film So Poorly Promoted?
Diplomat is not a big-budget, mass-appeal Bollywood blockbuster. It’s a serious film that deserves word-of-mouth support. But how can people watch it if they don’t even know it exists?
John didn’t promote the film much, and the marketing was practically non-existent. Releasing it on Holi was another terrible decision. Honestly, it feels like the makers just threw the film into theatres and hoped people would magically find out about it.
This is sad because Diplomat is the kind of film Bollywood needs. It’s well-researched, well-directed, and avoids all the cringe-worthy tropes that usually plague patriotic thrillers. But thanks to its poor release strategy, it might struggle at the box office.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
If you love tense, realistic thrillers based on true events, then Diplomat is 100% worth watching. It doesn’t have over-the-top action sequences or dramatic slow-motion shots, but what it does have is a gripping story, solid performances, and nail-biting tension.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tight screenplay, fast-paced storytelling | Almost zero promotions—most people don’t even know it exists |
| John Abraham actually fits the role perfectly | Some performances (especially Saria Khateeb’s) feel inconsistent |
| No unnecessary jingoism or melodrama | Predictable for those who already know the real-life story |
| Intense and well-researched execution |
Rating: (4.0/5)
If you’re tired of the usual Bollywood masala films and want something gripping and intelligent, go watch Diplomat. And if you don’t want to spend money at the theatres, don’t worry—it’ll probably hit OTT soon.
FAQs
1. What’s Diplomat about?
A gripping political thriller based on a real-life mission to rescue an Indian woman trapped in Pakistan.
2. Who directed it?
Shivam Nair.
3. Who stars in it?
John Abraham leads as JP Singh, with Revathy, Sadia Khateeb, and Jagjeet Sandhu in supporting roles.
4. Is it based on a true story?
Yep! It was inspired by the 2017 rescue of Uzma Ahmed by Indian diplomat JP Singh.
5. What’s unique about this film?
It avoids melodrama and focuses on humanity and diplomacy.
6. Why is John Abraham praised in this?
His calm, serious role fits him perfectly—no over-the-top drama.
7. Why didn’t it get attention?
Poor marketing and a release during Holi kept it under the radar.
8. Where can I watch it?
It’s in theaters now and might hit OTT soon.
