This Independence Day weekend, the audience had high expectations for Coolie and War 2. Both are theatrical releases. While Rajinikanth’s Coolie is a massy entertainer, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s War 2 is an epic disappointment. But guess what, John Abraham’s Tehran, released on OTT platform Zee5, is a brilliant film compared to the other two released in the theatres. Tehran is based on the real events, and it stars John Abraham, Maanushi Chhillar, Neeru Bajwa, Hadi Khajanpour, and Madhurima Tuli.
Directed by Arun Gopalan and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, this spy thriller isn’t just about action — it’s about brain games, politics, and personal loss. Inspired by real events like the 2012 Israeli diplomat attack in Delhi, Tehran moves from the chaos of our capital to the tense lanes of Iran’s capital. No over-the-top drama here, just a gripping story that demands your attention from the first frame.
Tehran Story
DCP Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham) is one of Delhi Police’s finest. But when a bomb blast rocks the city near the Israeli Embassy — killing a little flower-seller he’d met just minutes earlier — the case gets personal.
Chasing the truth takes Rajeev straight into the dark alleys of global espionage, where India, Israel, and Iran’s political equations are always shifting. The catch? He can’t officially step into Tehran without risking a diplomatic storm. So he does what any man with nothing to lose would — he goes rogue. And in this game, one wrong move can set the world on fire.
Tehran Review
A 115-minute film, Tehran doesn’t waste time. Five minutes in, you know the stakes. No unnecessary songs, no slow burn — just sharp writing, tight pacing, and a story that respects your intelligence. Director Arun Gopalan nails the atmosphere — tense, dangerous, and unpredictable. The action is real and grounded (no flying jeeps, nothing over the top), and the Farsi dialogues with subtitles keep things authentic. Though some may find it difficult, but with subtitles available in both Hindi and English, it wouldn’t take your much effort to understand.
But here’s the thing — you’ll enjoy this more if you already know a bit about India-Iran-Israel relations, because this isn’t your generic “good guys vs bad guys” script. At times, it may need your patience to understand. Tanishk Bagchi’s background score works perfectly with the mood, and the screenplay keeps you hooked without wandering off into filler territory.
Tehran Performances
John Abraham ditches the indestructible action hero act. Here, he’s raw, intense, and human — and that makes him more reliable and watchable. This year, John Abraham has delivered brilliant performances, first with The Diplomat and now with Tehran. However, John Abraham’s need to look at his marketing team, both films had the potential to do big at the box office. But The Diplomat ended up with no awareness and a lack of promotions, while Tehran directly landed on OTT.
Manushi Chhillar has delivered her best to date. Though she doesn’t get long speeches, she owns her action scenes and brings a solid screen presence. Neeru Bajwa as Shilaja adds weight in her limited screen time, and Madhurima Tuli and the rest of the cast fit seamlessly into the film’s gritty world.
Final Verdict
Tehran is a gripping geopolitical thriller that proves you don’t need to scream “Jai Hind” to deliver true patriotism. It’s riveting and impactful — a political spy thriller that doesn’t spoon-feed but keeps you on edge till the very last frame. If you like realism over style, Tehran is for you.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
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