Sadia Khateeb discusses emotional impact playing Uzma Ahmad

Sadia Khateeb recently shared her experiences while portraying Uzma Ahmad in the upcoming film *The Diplomat*, which stars John Abraham. The movie is based on the true story of Uzma's escape from Pakistan. In an interview, Khateeb explained that her director wanted her to connect deeply with the character. He discouraged her from researching Uzma's life, asking instead for her to embody the role from the audition alone. She finally met Uzma during the film's promotional events, finding that her director's vision matched Uzma's real personality. Khateeb noted that her preparation involved immersing herself in Uzma's experiences. She focused on the raw emotions that anyone might feel during such a traumatic situation. She felt it was vital to portray Uzma’s journey authentically and personally. When asked about Uzma’s current situation, Khateeb revealed that although Uzma experienced significant trauma when she returned to India, she has since healed. Khateeb expressed admiration for Uzma’s courage and hopes viewers will also find inspiration in her story. However, playing Uzma took an emotional toll on Khateeb. She admitted that stepping into Uzma's shoes was profoundly affecting. She conveyed that it was difficult to imagine the real struggles Uzma endured, making her feel some of the trauma herself during the process.