John Abraham starrer The Diplomat created a massive buzz with its release. However, it failed to serve what it promised. The film was promoted as a high-stake diplomacy and women empowerment saga. However, it ultimately delivered a dispirited tribute to the male saviour fantasies, which left the audience in dismay.
John Abraham’s The Diplomat is a failed feminist film
Shivam Nair based the film on the real-life story of an Indian woman named Uzma Ahmed who was tricked by a Pakistani man. The man pretended to be in love with her, only to land her in dangerous situations. While she was eventually rescued through diplomatic efforts, the film was supposed to be passed on to her rather than the diplomat.
The film is getting heavily criticised, especially by critics like Rohan Naahar, who expect much more from The Diplomat. The film focuses more on John Abraham’s character, Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh, than on the journey and struggles of the Indian woman, Uzma Ahmed, who was stuck in a dangerous situation.
The Diplomat tells the true story of Uzma Ahmed, who was essayed by Sadia Khateeb and is heavily based on the tense backdrop of India-Pakistan’s relationship. Uzma, an Indian woman who found herself lured into Pakistan by a man she believed she loved, was the core of the film, which was heavily ignored. The film follows the harrowing ordeal faced by Uzma and features deception, entrapment, and a desperate fight for freedom. Her story is supposed to be a tale of remarkable courage. Yet, it was cast in a shadow by the filmmakers who chose to share the story primarily through the perspective and actions of Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh.
John Abraham’s The Diplomat focuses largely on the male saviour perception
The film, The Diplomat, had the opportunity to be one of the most cathartic experiences in the cinema’s history, yet despite the subject matter, it sidelined its heroine. The makers portrayed Uzma as a victim waiting to be rescued, as her agency constantly overshadowed her own individual story. This was further dragged by John’s massive hangover on Uzma, who swooped in to save her.
Several critics felt that John Abraham’s character as ‘JP Singh’ could have been the supporting figure who steps in to tie the loose ends during the climax. However, he was made the central figure of the film, taking away from the emotions and pain of a woman who should’ve actually been at the core of the film. The film that represented itself as a feminist story, at its execution, failed to empower its viewers.
While some called it B-Town, it’s another example of mistaking surface-level sensitivity for deep and complicated storylines. The film, by making the male diplomat the centre figure, once again proved that there is a lot for Bollywood to learn when it comes to female-led films. The Diplomat only ended up reinforcing the very power imbalance it seems to critique.
What are your thoughts on John Abraham’s The Diplomat?
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