India, March 13 -- Right off the bat, there's something about The Diplomat holding me back from awarding it 4 stars. It ticks all the boxes on the checklist for a decent thriller: edge of the seat moments, a pacy background score, and a gripping narrative. Yet it isn't nearly a perfect watch.

Directed by Shivam Nair (of Naam Shabana fame) and starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb in the leading roles, this one is based on the real-life story of Indian national Uzma Ahmad. She was brought back to India in 2017 after allegedly being honey trapped by a Pakistani man. She revealed she was made to marry at gunpoint and abused after she visited him in his country. Of course, it has been dramatised quite a lot for the big screen audience.

Le...