Bollywood’s latest political thriller, The Diplomat, led by John Abraham, is making waves at the box office. Directed by Shivam Nair, the film is an engaging exploration of diplomacy, politics, and personal drama, and is being hailed for its gripping narrative. Alongside Abraham, the film features Sadia Khateeb, who previously appeared in Akshay Kumar’s Raksha Bandhan. Despite a mixed reception in its first week, The Diplomat has shown signs of improvement, particularly on its eighth day of release.
A Gradual Rise in Box Office Earnings
The Diplomat saw a rise in earnings on its eighth day after collecting Rs 1.30 crore on Day 7. With positive momentum, projections indicate that the political thriller could earn around Rs 1.45 crore on its second Friday. In its first week, the film managed to rake in Rs 18.75 crore net in India. While its opening week started off decently with a strong first weekend, the film experienced a drop during the weekdays, which is typical for many films in their early days. However, with the rise in earnings, the film’s trajectory appears to be improving.
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John Abraham’s Powerful Performance and Reception
One of the film’s biggest highlights has been John Abraham’s performance. Audiences have praised his portrayal of a diplomat navigating complex political waters. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, John revealed how viewers have reacted positively to his performance, with many suggesting the film could be a contender for the National Award. “People are telling me, ‘This should be a National Award film. What are we doing?’ And this is not me talking,” John shared.
Despite the critical acclaim, The Diplomat has faced its challenges. John revealed that several OTT platforms rejected the film, as they didn’t find it to be a great fit for their platform. This highlights the film’s struggle to find a mainstream audience, although the theatrical response seems more favorable.
Impact of IPL on Box Office Performance
The arrival of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting with the first match on March 22, 2025, is expected to impact the box office numbers of The Diplomat. As IPL matches are known to draw significant viewership and attention, the film will face stiff competition from the cricket season, making it crucial for The Diplomat to perform well in its second weekend.
The Road Ahead for The Diplomat
In addition to John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb, the film also stars Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, and Revathy, who add depth to the film’s ensemble cast. With positive word of mouth and rising earnings, The Diplomat may have the potential to gain further traction in the coming weeks, provided it can hold its ground against the IPL’s impact.
Have you booked your tickets for this intriguing political thriller yet? The Diplomat is playing in theaters near you!
