Sadia Khateeb, known for her Bollywood debut in Shikara and her role in Raksha Bandhan, has recently garnered attention for her standout performance in The Diplomat, which stars John Abraham. In the film, Khateeb portrays Uzma Ahmad, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage in Pakistan who seeks refuge at the Indian embassy. The movie, inspired by real events, gave the actress a chance to display her acting depth, and she recently opened up about her experience in a candid interview with Mid-Day.
During the interview, Khateeb shared an interesting insight about her dynamic with co-star John Abraham. To enhance the intensity of their on-screen relationship, the two deliberately limited their interactions off-screen. Since her character was meant to be intimidated by John’s portrayal of JP Singh, they intentionally kept their exchanges minimal during filming. “John made me feel at ease, but since my character was supposed to be afraid of JP, he made sure we didn’t interact as much as co-stars typically do,” Khateeb explained. “I would see him from a distance, and he’d give me a look, but we wouldn’t talk. I’d smile about it, but soon, I understood the reason behind it.”
Khateeb also delved into the emotionally and physically challenging aspects of her role, particularly the scenes depicting domestic violence. She recalled a harrowing moment during a fight scene with her on-screen husband, where she began choking for real. “I started coughing in between takes, and I raised my hand to signal my co-actor to stop, but he didn’t notice. Luckily, an assistant director spotted me and quickly intervened, offering me water and help,” she shared. Despite the discomfort, Khateeb reflected that the authenticity of those moments added to the film’s emotional impact.
In the same interview, Khateeb discussed the challenges she faces as an independent artist in Bollywood, especially without the support of a high-profile PR team, unlike many of her peers. She recognized that each actor has a unique journey, and while some may benefit from the backing of a PR firm, they also face the pressure of living up to a legacy. “I’m still figuring it out, but I understand that my journey will take longer because I don’t have a management team,” she said. “But there’s a certain comfort in knowing that everything I achieve is truly my own.”
Khateeb admitted she would love to gain more popularity, but she is determined to chart her own path in the industry, despite the longer road ahead. Nevertheless, her impressive performance in The Diplomat stands as a testament to her talent, and the film continues to make waves in theaters nationwide.
