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The Diplomat (2025 film)

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For other uses, see Diplomat (disambiguation).

The Diplomat
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShivam Nair
Written byRitesh Shah
Produced byBhushan Kumar
Krishan Kumar
John Abraham
Vipul D. Shah
Ashwin Varde
Rajesh Bahl
Sameer Dixit
Jatish Varma
Rakesh Dang
Starring
CinematographyDimo Popov
Edited byKunal Walve
Music bySongs:
Manan Bhardwaj
Anurag Saikia
Score:
Ishaan Chhabra
Production
companies
T-Series Films
JA Entertainment
Wakaoo Films
Fortune Pictures
Distributed byPanorama Studios
Release date
  • 14 March 2025 (2025-03-14)
Running time
137 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹20 crore[2][3]
Box officeest. ₹53 crore[4]

The Diplomat is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language political thriller film directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah.[5] 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.[6][7] It was theatrically released during the Holi festival on 14 March 2025 with highly positive reviews and achieved significant commercial success. It grossed ₹54 crores worldwide, with India contributing ₹41 crores net to the total earnings. Notably, the film's production budget was ₹20 crores, making it a profitable venture..[8] The movie is based on the real-life case of Uzma Ahmed, who returned to India in 2017.

Plot

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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.[9]

Cast

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Production

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Development

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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.[12] 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.[13]

Casting

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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.[14] The supporting cast includes Kumud Mishra and Sharib Hashmi, to bring depth to the political and personal dynamics within the film.[15][16]

Filming

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Principal photography began in November 2022.[17] 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.[18][14]

Music

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The Diplomat
Soundtrack album by
Manan Bhardwaj and Anurag Saikia
Released13 March 2025
Recorded2024
GenreBollywood
Length11:02
LanguageHindi
LabelT-Series
Official audio
The Diplomat Full Album on YouTube

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.[19][20]

The song "Bharat," from the 1992 film Roja, sung by Hariharan and composed by A. R. Rahman is recreated for the film.[21]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Ghar"Kausar MunirAnurag SaikiaVarun Jain, Romy, Anurag Saikia3:52
2."Bharat"Manoj MuntashirManan BhardwajHariharan, Prajakta Shukre, Himani Kapoor, Natraj Kshericha, Swapnomoy Chowdhury, Kamal Bharti3:18
3."Naina"Kausar MunirAnurag SaikiaVarun Jain, Romy, Anurag Saikia3:52
Total length:11:02

Release

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Theatrical

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After initial postponed from January 2024, it was planned to release in theatres on 7 March 2025 ,[22] but was eventually postponed by a week to 14 March 2025 (Holi Day).[23] The film was banned across several Arab Gulf states, including the Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.[24]

Home media

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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.[25]

Marketing

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The marketing campaign for The Diplomat began with the release of the first look poster in January 2025,[26] followed by a teaser and the official trailer, which was dropped on February 14, 2025.[27][28]

Reception

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Box office

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The Diplomat concluded its theatrical run with worldwide gross estimated to be ₹47.34–53 crore[4][29]

Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10.[30]

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."[31]

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".[32]

References

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  1. ^ "The Diplomat (2025)". Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  2. ^ Verma, Sakshi (20 March 2025). "The Diplomat Vs Chhaava box office report: Vicky Kaushal and John Abraham starrers collections on Wednesday". India TV News. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  3. ^ Kaushal, Sweta. "India Box Office: 'The Diplomat' Crosses $3 Million In A Week". Forbes. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b "The Diplomat Box Office Collection". Bollywood Hungama. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  5. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer: John Abraham wows in this gripping political thriller | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  6. ^ "'The Diplomat' teaser: John Abraham plays Indian terrorist and country traitor in Pakistan". Telegraph India. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  7. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer: John Abraham And Sadia Khateeb Are All Set To Bring Uzma Ahmed's Story On The Big Screens". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  8. ^ "John Abraham's The Diplomat gets postponed, to now release on Holi". India Today. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  9. ^ "The Diplomat trailer: John Abraham headlines a risky mission to save 'bharat ki beti'". Hindustan Times. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  10. ^ "The Diplomat trailer: John Abraham on a deadly mission to save 'Daughter of India'". India Today. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  11. ^ "Sadia Khateeb to play leading lady in The Diplomat opposite John Abraham". Deccan Chronicle. 7 February 2025. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  12. ^ "'The Diplomat' teaser: John Abraham is a mustachioed diplomat in upcoming thriller". The Hindu. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer: John Abraham Fights Against The Odds To Bring 'Bharat Ki Beti' Home". news.abplive.com. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  14. ^ a b "John Abraham's political thriller 'The Diplomat' trailer released, to hit theatres on March 7". ANI News. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  15. ^ "'The Diplomat' trailer: John Abraham starrer unleashes a tense battle of wits and diplomacy". The Times of India. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  16. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer OUT: John Abraham Is On Mission To Save 'Daughter of India' In This True-Story Thriller". Times Now. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  17. ^ "In Video: Trailer of John Abraham's 'The Diplomat'". 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  18. ^ "The Diplomat trailer: John Abraham is on a mission to save 'Bharat Ki Beti'. Watch". 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  19. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer OUT: 3 reasons that make John Abraham's upcoming political thriller worth watching". PINKVILLA. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  20. ^ Singh, Simran. "The Diplomat trailer: John Abraham goes to Pakistan to bring 'India's daughter' Sadia Khateeb back, fans says 'India needs this movie'". DNA India. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  21. ^ "The Diplomat movie trailer goes viral: John Abraham saves 'Bharat ki Beti' in new movie; social media reacts". Mint. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  22. ^ "John Abraham's The Diplomat Trailer OUT NOW: Witness The Thrilling True Story Of Intrigue & Politics". Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  23. ^ "The Diplomat: John Abraham's Film's Release Date Postponed; Will Now Hit The Screens On This Date". NDTV. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  24. ^ "The Diplomat: John Abraham starrer gets banned in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar over content concerns". Bollywood Hungama. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  25. ^ "The Diplomat Trailer Out: John Abraham Delivers Power-Packed Performance In A Political Thriller". News18. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  26. ^ "The Diplomat: First Look Poster Of John Abraham's Next Film Grabs Eyeballs". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  27. ^ "John Abraham starrer The Diplomat trailer to release on February 14". Bollywood Hungama. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  28. ^ "John Abrahams The Diplomat Trailer Drops Tomorrow, Check Out Sadia Khateebs New Motion Poster". Zee News. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  29. ^ "The Diplomat Final Box Office Worldwide: John Abraham starrer performs decently, targets theatrical end at Rs 53 crore". PINKVILLA. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  30. ^ "The Diplomat | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  31. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (13 March 2025). "The Diplomat Movie Review: THE DIPLOMAT is a nailbiting thriller". Bollywood Hungama.
  32. ^ Verma, Sukanya (14 March 2025). "The Diplomat Review: John Abraham Plays It Safe". Rediff.
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