The Diplomat (2025 film)

The Diplomat is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language political thriller film directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah. The film, starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb, is set against the backdrop of India–Pakistan relations, exploring themes of diplomacy and the personal conflicts faced by diplomats. It was theatrically released during the Holi festival on 14 March 2025.. The movie is based on the real-life case of Uzma Ahmed, who returned to India in 2017.
The film follows real-life Indian diplomat J. P. Singh. His world is turned upside down when Uzma Ahmed, a woman seeking refuge, arrives at the embassy. Uzma claims to be an Indian citizen who was abducted to Buner and forced to marry a Pakistani man called Tahir of Pathan origin. She also has a daughter with thalassemia from a prior failed marriage and had thought Tahir loved her genuinely, so she had met him in Pakistan before being taken to the remote village and was abused. As tensions rise, Singh must navigate the complexities of international diplomacy, Pakistani legal systems, and the pressure from both the Indian and Pakistani governments to resolve the matter and help Uzma leave through crossing the Wagah Border safely. The film delves into the moral and ethical challenges faced by diplomats when personal lives are entwined with state affairs.
The film was announced in 2024 with John Abraham attached as the lead actor. The project was developed under the banner of T Series in collaboration with JA Entertainment. It was inspired by the real-life incident involving Uzma Ahmed, a woman who fled from Pakistan to India in 2017, after being forced into marriage. This true story formed the basis for the film’s narrative. Director Shivam Nair was chosen for his previous work in the thriller genre. Ritesh Shah, known for his writing in films like Pink (2016) and Kahaani (2012), was hired to pen the screenplay.
John Abraham was cast to play J. P. Singh a role that would depict the nuanced and often stressful life of a diplomat. Sadia Khateeb, who gained recognition for her performance in Sardar Ka Grandson (2021), was cast to portray Uzma Ahmed. The supporting cast includes Kumud Mishra and Sharib Hashmi, to bring depth to the political and personal dynamics within the film.
Principal photography began in November 2022. The production was primarily shot in Delhi, with several sequences filmed in actual embassy settings. Some parts of the film also required international locations to depict Islamabad accurately. Shivam Nair focused on ensuring authenticity by working closely with diplomatic consultants to recreate the nuances of a high-pressure diplomatic environment. The film wrapped up filming by late 2024.
The music for The Diplomat was composed by Manan Bhardwaj and Anurag Saikia with lyrics written by Manoj Muntashir and Kausar Munir. The film score is composed by Ishaan Chhabra. The soundtrack features a mix of emotional ballads and intense instrumental tracks that complement the political thriller theme. The music also includes patriotic undertones, reflecting the nationalistic sentiments explored in the story.
The song "Bharat," from the 1992 film Roja, sung by Hariharan and composed by A. R. Rahman is recreated for the film.
After initial postponed from January 2024, it was planned to release in theatres on 7 March 2025 , but was eventually postponed by a week to 14 March 2025 (Holi Day). The film was banned across several Arab Gulf states, including the Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
Following its theatrical run, the film will be made available for streaming on Netflix. The film's satellite rights have been acquired by Sony MAX, ensuring a wide reach on television as well.
The marketing campaign for The Diplomat began with the release of the first look poster in January 2025, followed by a teaser and the official trailer, which was dropped on February 14, 2025.
As of 4 April 2025, The Diplomat has earned a worldwide gross of over ₹47 crore.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10.
A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5 out of 5, and wrote "On the whole, The Diplomat is a nail-biting thriller that brings a shocking and heroic true story to life. At the box office, the film may start slow, but with strong word of mouth, it has the potential to grow and make a lasting impact."
Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com gave the film 2.5 out of 5 and observed that "The possibilities of this serviceable thriller are immense but the makers prefer to play it safe and hold back the daredevil in the diplomat's clothing".