What real-life event inspired John Abraham's 'The Diplomat'
What's the story
Bollywood is all set to explore uncharted territory with the upcoming film The Diplomat, which will tell the true story of an Indian diplomat's daring rescue mission in Pakistan.
Set to hit theaters on March 7, the film features John Abraham in the lead.
It is based on JP Singh, a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who played a key role in bringing back an Indian woman safely from Pakistan.
Plot details
'The Diplomat' will depict Singh's daring rescue mission
The film The Diplomat is based on the real-life events of May 2017 when Singh, then serving as charge d'affaires in Islamabad, ensured Uzma Ahmed's return to India.
Ahmed was duped into visiting Pakistan by a man she thought was her lover but was actually a married criminal.
The film shows how Singh personally brought Ahmed from Islamabad to the Wagah-Attari border under armed protection, driving through the night on the Islamabad-Lahore expressway.
Authentic portrayal
It features real-life political figures and events
The film The Diplomat also features actual footage of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's statement to a TV channel last year, calling Hanuman a true diplomat.
Jaishankar was the foreign secretary in 2017 when Ahmed was going through his ordeal.
His predecessor Sushma Swaraj had supervised efforts to bring Ahmed back to India from the moment she sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Rescue mission
More about Ahmed's ordeal
Ahmed met the man who deceived her, Tahir Ali, in Malaysia. After tricking him into believing she had a relative working at the Indian mission in Islamabad, she sought refuge there and revealed her forced marriage and manipulation.
The film reportedly gives an accurate depiction of these events over nearly a month leading up to her return.
Despite legal challenges and security threats from Ali and his armed associates, the Indian government successfully facilitated Ahmed's return.
Homecoming
Ahmed's return sparked celebrations and gratitude in India
Upon Ahmed's return to India, Swaraj held a press conference to announce her safe arrival, calling her "India's daughter."
Ahmed thanked Swaraj and Singh for their efforts in getting her back. She had also called Pakistan a "death trap" during this conference.
The film, helmed by Shivam Nair, hopes to bring this incredible story of diplomacy and courage under duress to the big screen.