There is a sense of mounting tension in The Diplomat that sets it apart from most political thrillers, which either get embroiled in excessive jingoism or end up tying themselves in knots trying to please everyone.
Although this is the story of an unsung hero, there are no trumpets blaring from rooftops. Director Shivam Nair (where has he been hiding?) keeps the proceedings brisk but never over the top as he delves into a slice of recent history. In 2017, India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, J.P. Singh, found himself in an unprecedented situation when an Indian woman, Uzma, rushed into the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, seeking asylum and a safe passage home.
A Well-Crafted, No-Nonsense Thriller
From this intriguing beginning, writer Ritesh Shah constructs a narrative that is both topical and gripping. There are no rough edges, no unnecessary diversions, and, believe it or not, no songs in the background—until the end, when Hariharan’s sonorous Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai suffuses the soundtrack with emotion.
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That said (and sung), there is no overt flag-waving in the storytelling. The editing is largely sharp and no-nonsense—just like its protagonist—leaving no room for unnecessary fluff in this hard-edged survival drama.
A Slow Build-Up That Pays Off
Admittedly, the narrative takes time to pick up. However, the plot build-up is handled with care. By the time Uzma makes her escape from Pakistan, we are on our feet cheering.
Yes, the film does demonize some Pakistani characters. But as the saying goes, to make an omelette, you have to break some eggs. Director Shivam Nair takes a real-life diplomatic crisis at the Indo-Pak border and converts it into compelling cinematic storytelling. The pacing is occasionally uneven, but the narration never slows down to a dead end.
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Performances That Add Depth To The Story
The two principal performances by John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb are adequate, but it is the supporting cast that gives the narrative its cutting edge.
From the ever-dependable Kumud Mishra (playing an affable Pakistani lawyer) to an unknown actor named Vishal, who plays Ayush—the man who helps facilitate Uzma Ahmed’s escape—not to forget Revathy as the elegant Sushma Swaraj, the actors prove how much a solid thriller relies on its cast to make a true-life drama feel real.
