The Diplomat OTT release date: Here's when and where you can stream John Abraham's political thriller
John Abraham’s political thriller The Diplomat, based on Uzma Ahmed’s real story, premieres on Netflix May 9 after a successful theatrical run. Critics praised its realism and powerful performances.
The Diplomat
Last Updated: 10.56 AM, May 08, 2025
Premiering on May 9, 2025, is the political thriller The Diplomat starring John Abraham, according to Netflix's official announcement. With over ₹53 crore in global receipts, the film has done well at the box office and was critically acclaimed upon its theatrical premiere on March 14, 2025, which happened to coincide with the Holi holiday.
| Film Title | The Diplomat |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| OTT Release Date | May 9, 2025 |
| Director | Shivam Nair |
| Cast | John Abraham, Sadia Khateeb, |
The Diplomat story and inspiration
The Diplomat is a film by Shivam Nair and Ritesh Shah based on the true story of Indian national Uzma Ahmed, who returned to her home country from Pakistan in 2017 despite facing several obstacles. In the midst of strained bilateral relations, the film follows John Abraham as Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh of India in Pakistan as he becomes entangled in a complicated repatriation issue.
A woman named Uzma Ahmed, played by Sadia Khateeb, alleges that she was kidnapped and married against her will in the Buner area of Pakistan. The story traces Singh's attempts to aid her in the face of obstacles presented by the legal systems of Pakistan and both countries' bureaucracies and cross-border diplomacy. "The Diplomat" features Kumud Mishra in the role of a senior Pakistani diplomat; Sharib Hashmi as an officer from the Indian Foreign Service; and Revathy as a character modelled after Sushma Swaraj, the former Indian minister of external affairs.
Nair is known for directing Ahista Ahista (2006), Naam Shabana (2017), and Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy (2022), to name a few.
Netflix release and streaming details
The Diplomat will now be available on Netflix following its nearly 60-day theatrical run.
Critics lauded the film for deftly navigating the moral complexities encountered by diplomats, as well as its restrained acting. Avoiding dramatisation, the film's little over two-hour running time instead zeroes in on the emotional and procedural hurdles of high-stakes diplomacy.
Beginning this coming Friday, The Diplomat will have numerous language dubs and be available to stream in Hindi.