Sadia Khateeb On Landing 'The Diplomat' Role & What Cinema Means To Her

Indian political thriller The Diplomat, directed by Shivam Nair, hit theatres on March 14. The film is based on the real-life story of Indian national Uzma Ahmad, who was brought back to India in 2017 after allegedly being honey-trapped in Pakistan. Actor Sadia Khateeb takes on the challenging role of Uzma and, in conversation with SheThePeople, she shared her journey of landing the part, the impact it had on her, and how the response to her performance has shaped her aspirations.

Sadia Khateeb on Landing 'The Diplomat' & How It Transformed Her as an Actor

Sadia revealed that The Diplomat came to her through an audition process led by casting director Jogi Malang. She recalled, "They happened to test me, and right after the second round, I remember him looking at me and saying, ‘I'll see you on sets.’ That's how The Diplomat happened to me."

Playing a character like Uzma required strength and depth, something that helped her evolve not just as an actor but as a person. "It has brought so much courage and confidence in me because playing a character with so much depth, integrity, and presence of mind has helped me grow, not just on camera but in real life too."

The overwhelming response to her performance has been a turning point. "Definitely, it has boosted my confidence as an actor, but there’s something else that changed too. Before The Diplomat, I went through a year and a half without a release. I was desperate just to be on a film set again."

However, that desperation has now turned into something more, ambition for stronger roles. "Now, I just don’t want to be on any set. I want to be part of a film with a solid script, a powerful story, and a meatier role. That’s the shift this film has brought back into my life."

Further in the conversation, she reflected on the defining moments that shaped her passion for acting. For Sadia, the moment she truly embraced acting as her purpose came when she was cast in Shikara (2020). She recalled, "I still remember when VC (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) called me for Shikara. He was speaking to my dad on a video call, trying to convince him that I could be a good actor."

"That was the first time someone recognised my potential, and it gave me a push. I thought, if a small audition could earn such appreciation, what could more effort do? That moment gave me a kick, and I knew I wanted to pursue acting. So, I moved to Bombay and did my first film."

What Inspired Her to Pursue Acting?

It was a turning point that gave her the confidence to pursue acting professionally. But beyond external validation, she found something deeper in the craft. "Acting detoxifies you. It’s like therapy. Whatever emotions I was carrying, whether suppressed childhood traumas, problems, or even my alter ego, they all get released when I play different characters. Acting is the most therapeutic process."

She believes that this emotional release is what keeps actors hooked to their profession, not fame or money. "You can get fame and money from anywhere, right? But the creative satisfaction, the therapeutic relief that acting brings, that's why people can’t leave this profession."

Sadia credits Shikara and Vidhu Vinod Chopra as the foundation of her career. "Everything I’ve learned about acting, everything I know about the industry, it all started with Shikara. It was my first job, my first step as a professional, and I was just a blank sheet before that. For any actor in the world, getting an opportunity to be directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is himself an institution of acting and cinema, is insane. Spending two years learning under his roof was an experience that shaped me completely."

What Does Representation In Cinema Mean to Her?

As Sadia navigates the industry, she remains grounded in her roots, she firmly believes that representation in cinema carries immense responsibility. “You know, representation generally in cinema is extremely important, no matter whether we agree or we don't agree. But cinema is a replica of our society, and sometimes vice versa. Sometimes we display something in the cinema which is maybe not a part of our society, but then society adapts it."

She emphasises that filmmakers and writers must stay true to the realities they portray, whether in fiction or real-life narratives. "It's a medium of entertainment, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. For women and for all across, it's very important because, again, it's like, you know, whatever we display on the screen, it has a reality on the ground from the society. So yeah, representation is definitely important because that can help encourage the world, the women, and the society."

Moreover, growing up in Kashmir had a profound impact on how Sadia approaches her craft. “Growing up in Kashmir deeply shaped my perspective on storytelling. The way I read scripts is uniquely my own, though I also value my director’s vision. Having seen life beyond big cities, I understand people, relationships, and struggles differently. Moving to Bombay introduced me to another world, but my roots keep me grounded. Being street smart, social, and aware of my surroundings, all of that comes from where I grew up.”

What Advice Does She Have for Aspiring Actors?

For young women who aspire to join the industry but fear failure, Sadia offers words of encouragement. “Failure is a part of it, and there is no such thing as failure as long as you keep trying. Failure is when you give up, and actually, not even then. Failure is nothing. Failure is just a form of fear that is always hitting our heads."

Khateeb stresses the importance of staying true to one's values. “I know it looks difficult from the outside, but once you are inside, you will find your way. As long as your passion is true, as long as your willpower is there, as long as you are doing the right thing, just don't compromise on integrity. Don’t fall into the traps of people around you. Just recognise that you have a sense of good people and bad people. Maybe that you will learn over time, but just don't give up on your dreams because if God has put that dream in your heart, he surely has the plan to bring you to that place also."

Which Actors and Characters Inspire Her?

Lastly, Sadia shares the kind of characters and actors she finds inspiration in. Cinema, for her, has always been more than just performances; it's about the depth of the roles portrayed. "There are a lot of actors that I look up to, but more than actors, they are characters I look up to because their characters have truly inspired me," she reflects. 

"From Alia Bhatt’s journey in Highway to Sridevi’s resilience in English Vinglish, these performances have left a huge mark. When you see them on screen as a kid growing up, they leave something inside your belly... a feeling of heroism." For her, strong female characters ignite strength and hope.

And now, she hopes to bring such powerful characters to life herself, inspiring others the same way.