John Abraham's "The Diplomat," a political thriller inspired by true events, has arrived on Netflix. The film, which premiered in theaters on March 14, 2025, began streaming on Netflix on May 9, 2025.
"The Diplomat" delves into the complex world of international relations and personal conflicts faced by diplomats. The film is reportedly based on the true story of Indian diplomat JP Singh. The narrative follows an Indian diplomat's efforts to repatriate an Indian girl from Pakistan, where she was allegedly forced into marriage.
John Abraham portrays the titular diplomat navigating the intricate web of political and moral tensions. Abraham described the film as an "emotional, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller," moving away from typical patriotic narratives. He likened the film to "Argo," emphasizing its gripping and realistic portrayal of a high-stakes situation.
Sadia Khateeb plays a significant role as Uzma, a woman seeking refuge. Her performance is described as the heart and soul of the film, portraying her character's pain, fear, and resilience with authenticity. Khateeb praised Abraham as a fantastic actor and human being, highlighting the inspiring journey of working on the film.
Shivam Nair directed "The Diplomat," which is written by Ritesh Shah. The film features Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, Revathy, and Ashwath Bhatt in supporting roles. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar (T-Series), John Abraham (JA Entertainment), Vipul D Shah, Ashwin Varde, Rajesh Bahl (Wakaoo Films), Sameer Dixit, Jatish Varma, and Rakesh Dang (Fortune Pictures/Seeta Films).
"The Diplomat" received positive reviews for its storyline, screenplay, and performances. Critics have noted John Abraham's powerful and restrained performance as a smart and decisive diplomat. Sadia Khateeb's portrayal has also been lauded for adding depth and emotional weight to the story.
The film explores themes of diplomacy, foreign policy, strategic affairs, and international relations. Director Nair clarified that the film is based on a real-life incident involving a woman from Delhi who was trapped in Pakistan after being deceived. Abraham emphasized the film should be viewed from a humanitarian angle rather than a typical India-Pakistan perspective.
"The Diplomat" is available on Netflix in Hindi with English subtitles.
