“The Diplomat,” released on March 14, 2025, directed by Shivam Nair and produced by T-Series, JA Entertainment, and others, arrived as a Hindi-language political thriller with a modest buzz, starring John Abraham as J.P. Singh, an Indian diplomat, and Sadia Khateeb as Uzma Ahmed, a woman trapped in Pakistan. While it boasts a gripping premise and strong performances, “The Diplomat” falters with pacing issues and a lack of depth, making it a decent but flawed watch.

The storyline, inspired by the real-life 2017 rescue of Uzma Ahmed, follows J.P. Singh, Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad, tasked with repatriating Uzma—an Indian woman lured to Pakistan, forced into marriage with the abusive Tahir (Jagjeet Sandhu), and desperate to return home to her daughter. The narrative unfolds against India-Pakistan tensions, weaving diplomacy with personal stakes as Singh navigates legal hurdles, ISI interference, and a courtroom showdown. Ritesh Shah’s screenplay starts strong, plunging viewers into Uzma’s terror and Singh’s calculated moves, but it loses steam mid-flight. The first half builds tension well—no songs, no forced action—but the second half drags with repetitive exposition and a climax that, while emotional (Singh’s final plea and Uzma’s escape), lacks the punch to tie it all together. The Kulbhushan Jadhav nod adds context, yet the film shies from digging deeper into diplomatic grit, settling for a surface-level retelling.

John Abraham anchors the film with a restrained, compelling turn as Singh, shedding his action-hero skin for a cerebral role. His calm intensity—pounding a table instead of fists—suits the diplomat’s quiet heroism, earning praise as a career shift. Sadia Khateeb shines as Uzma, her raw fear and resilience carrying the emotional weight; her courtroom breakdown is a standout. Supporting players like Kumud Mishra (a principled lawyer), Sharib Hashmi (a nervous aide), and Revathy (a Sushma Swaraj-esque minister) add texture, though Hashmi’s Tiwari feels undercooked. Jagjeet Sandhu’s Tahir is chillingly detestable, but Ashwath Bhatt’s ISI chief Malik is a one-note caricature—Bollywood’s tired Pakistan trope rearing its head.

Nair’s direction keeps it grounded, avoiding jingoistic excess—a relief after Vedaa’s masala overload. Dimo Popov’s cinematography frames Islamabad’s unease starkly, and Ishaan Chhabra’s score builds dread without overreaching. Yet, at 137 minutes, the pacing sags; the intermission feels arbitrary, and the lack of a mid-film peak dulls momentum. Manan Bhardwaj and Anurag Saikia’s minimal music works—save for a recycled “Bharat” that feels forced. The film’s restraint is its strength and weakness: it sidesteps Bollywood clichés but misses chances to deepen its real-life roots, like Uzma’s backstory or Singh’s network.

“The Diplomat” isn’t a misfire—it’s a taut, sincere effort with flashes of brilliance—but it’s too cautious to soar. For a story of such stakes, it needed more fire, not just diplomacy.

Rating: 3/5

A solid thriller grounded by its leads— “The Diplomat” grips but doesn’t fully captivate.