Son of India

The Diplomat | Director: Shivam Nair | Cast: John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb and Revathy

Tum Bharat ki beti ho’, says Revathy’s external affairs minister to Sadia Khateeb, who plays the charac­ter based on Uzma Ahmed. Ahmed sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad in 2017. Well, John Abraham proved he is ‘Bharat ka beta’ in The Diplomat, one of many movies that portray him as a national­ist at large. Here he portrays JP Singh, who played a pivotal role in bringing Uzma back. Abraham is charming, yet intimi­dating when he wants to be, and bestowed with some great lines courtesy of Ritesh Shah, Bollywood’s finest political writer. Off-screen, Abraham has a healthy interest in geopoli­tics as well, and it shows in the conviction with which he plays the part. Part thriller, part pamphlet, as many Mumbai movies are these days, The Diplomat is engaging. Abraham has never followed Mumbai cinema conventions and has made the movies he wants to, whether it is produc­ing and headlining Madras Café (2013) or Parmanu (2018). It doesn’t hurt that he looks good in a diplomatic suit and tie.

Aamir KhancinemaGauri SprattJohn Abrahammovie reviewShivam NairThe Diplomat