Shivam Nair is a relieved man. After a long struggle, his film The Diplomat, starring John Abraham, has emerged as a surprise success at the box office. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the filmmaker talks about the response and also opens up on the original casting.
EXCLUSIVE: From considering Irrfan Khan to almost signing Saif Ali Khan and Ileana D’Cruz — Shivam Nair reveals the UNTOLD backstory of John Abraham-starrer The Diplomat; also BREAKS silence on adding the LONGEST disclaimer in Hindi film history
What feedback have you received for The Diplomat?
It has been good. Interestingly, a lot of IIT students, management students and corporates have enjoyed it; I got a lot of feedback from them. What has also worked in my opinion is that we have seen films on spies and cops. But on the Indian screen at least, there has been no film made on diplomats. People saw for the first time how these people negotiate and play mind games.
The box office also seems steady. People have also appreciated the fact that it’s based on a true story. It gives us confidence to make many such kinds of films.
Has J P Singh and Uzma Ahmed seen the film?
J P hasn’t seen the film yet. He’s in Israel right now. But he told me that a lot of diplomats in different parts of the world saw the film and they have messaged him. Uzma will watch the film either today or tomorrow.
Many years ago, there were reports that Saif Ali Khan would play the lead role of J P while Ileana DCruz will essay the role of Uzma. Could you tell us about the casting then and how John Abraham was locked?
When we were developing the script, Irrfan Khan was the first person to come to my mind. But he told me that he was not well. A week later, I learned that he was (suffering from cancer). Then, we considered Saif. He was suitable for the character as he has been educated abroad and he understood the world in which the film was set. Somehow, it didn’t materialize. He was busy with Vikram Vedha (2022). I also dropped the idea and meanwhile, I made Special Ops 1.5 and Mukhbir – The Story Of A Spy.
Later, Ashwin Varde read the script. He sent the script to John. He read it just once and decided to meet me. I realized that he has an immense understanding of geopolitics. I also knew that he was the right choice. Then, when he wore the suit for the look test, we thought as if a real diplomat had walked in!
And what about Ileana DCruz?
She was considered at that time and we were hoping to make the film with Saif and Ileana. I even met Ileana and narrated the film to her. But since we couldn’t make the film then due to dates and no studio support, work on the film stopped.
The Diplomat was made way back in the second half of 2022 and it has got a release after 2 ½ years. It is shocking that such a well-made film took so long to come out…
We shot the film in one go. But then, the OTT market was not in the best shape. T-Series thankfully managed to crack the OTT deal. Also, many people didn’t have confidence in the project at all.
But why was that? After all, the film is based on a fascinating story and credible people have been associated with it…
I guess in the last 2 years, commercial masala films have been working and as I said, the OTT market was not strong. Hence, people didn’t have faith in this film possibly due to its genre.
But some of them did have faith. 15 days before release, I had shown the film to my friends Anurag Kashyap, Sriram Raghavan and Imtiaz Ali. They all said that it’s a good film. Also, John and I always had faith in the product. Hopefully, now with the response to The Diplomat, we’ll get the required support to make more such kinds of films.
There’s a very, very lengthy disclaimer at the beginning of the film. It just goes on and on…
That’s because we mentioned Sushma Swaraj’s name and also that of Kulbhushan Jadhav. He continues to languish in a jail in Pakistan. That’s the reason (for the long disclaimer). Initially, they (CBFC) told me that we’d have to change the names. Thankfully, the Ministry Of External Affairs supported us. Also, we reiterated that the film is based on a true story. That’s how the CBFC agreed but we were asked to add the disclaimer. It’s very long, maybe the longest in a Hindi film. Even when I saw it, I was a bit put off by how lengthy it is.
Is there a possibility of The Diplomat 2?
Yes, it is possible. The film just showed one heroic tale. There are many such instances, some of them untold, in the diplomat world.
You were a part of Anurag Kashyap’s unreleased film Paanch. Recently, producer Tutu Sharma confirmed that it’ll be released in cinemas…
Yes. It’s a very well-made movie with great storytelling. Kay Kay Menon has delivered a solid performance. It should be released.
Any idea when it’ll be released?
A lot of films are being re-released and hence, they also want to get Paanch in cinemas. I heard they are trying to get it done. I am sure it’ll work as the audience would love to see it.
More Pages: The Diplomat Box Office Collection , The Diplomat Movie Review
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