Speaking to Subhash K Jha, director Shivam Nair discusses his new film, The Diplomat. He says he enjoyed working with star John Abraham and is very happy with the final film, plus so much more.
After a slow start, The Diplomat has gathered momentum over the weekend.
Sir, we tried to make an honest film. I enjoyed making the film. I have a gut feeling it will work. Slowly, it will reach the audiences; it’s my belief…. We are hoping for the success of the movie… which can help us to make such a movie in the future.
Don’t you think it was a mistake to release the film on Holi?
Sir, I know nothing about marketing strategies. I just made the film that I wanted to. The rest was left to the experts. All I know is that I made the story without compromises. I did not fall for the box office pressures. There is no romantic lead in my film, only one song and John Abraham doesn’t take off his shirt.
I have admired your work since I saw Ahista Ahista in 2006
That was my directorial debut. Imtiaz Ali had written the film, and I had full control over what I shot. Gradually, over the years, I had to make compromises in everything I directed. But after The Diplomat, I have decided to make films only the way I want to. Before The Diplomat, web series have kept me busy, particularly Special Ops and Mukhbir.
How and when did you decide to make a film on the diplomatic crisis involving the diplomat J P Singh?
I was introduced to the diplomat through Uzma Ahmed. I was intrigued by his personality and his empathy for Uzma. It was a conscious decision to stick to the actual story and not fictionalize it unnecessarily. The producers gave me the room to make it this way. Most of what you see is fact. About 90 percent. Both J.P. and Uzma shared their detailed stories with us. The casting was a result of my growth as a filmmaker. John Abraham gave me my creative freedom to make the film the way I wanted to.
How do you react to the film being seen as anti-Pakistan?
I don’t think the film is anti-anything. It’s a story about a young woman who got conned and put in a dangerous situation and was rescued by a wise diplomat.
