John Abraham is once again seen on the silver screen with The Diplomat, an action thriller that hit the screens on March 14, 2025. Shivam Nair-directed and also featuring Sadia Khateeb in the lead role, the film is based on the context of India–Pakistan relations. Nonetheless, with huge expectations, the film has been off to a disappointing start at the box office.
Also Read: Box Office Shocker! The Diplomat opens to a slow start despite Holi holiday boost
Slow Start Despite High Expectations
The film’s opening was subdued on the opening day, where it collected Rs 3.5 crore, which was a bit more than early estimates of about Rs 2 crore. The film suffered due to a release on Holi day as well, thereby impacting footfalls. As forecasted, The Diplomat also failed to find traction over the weekend, as its Day 2 collections saw it staying with the previous day’s figures. The movie now also expects to count on good word-of-mouth to help increase its box office figures in the days to come.
Competition from Other Releases
The Diplomat also has tough competition at the box office. It is competing with the re-release of Namastey London, a 2007 romantic comedy film featuring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, which released theatrically after 18 years. Also, Chhaava, Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic, keeps going strong in its fifth week, having surpassed the Rs 500 crore mark in Hindi.
A Strong Cast and Promising Storyline
Though The Diplomat might be having a slow beginning, it boasts a talented cast with Kumud Mishra and Sharib Hashmi playing pivotal roles. As the movie keeps releasing in theatres, its destiny could rest on the feedback from the audience and the mounting hype surrounding its action-oriented plot.
