Tehran (2025): John Abraham's Most Poignant Geopolitical Thriller Yet – A Patriotic Spy Drama Rooted in Real Events

Tehran (2025) Movie Review: John Abraham’s Most Poignant Geopolitical Thriller Yet

Keywords: Tehran movie review, Tehran 2025 review, John Abraham Tehran, geopolitical espionage film, Indian spy thriller, Iran Israel India conflict movie, Arun Gopalan film, Manushi Chhillar, Hindi thriller 2025, ZEE5 Tehran

Introduction

Tehran (2025) arrives this Independence Day with a sobering, layered tension. This isn't the typical flag-waving spectacle; instead, it’s a thoughtful, emotionally grounded espionage thriller that puts human cost front and center.

Plot & Premise

The film opens with a calculated bombing that recalls the 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats in Delhi—an incident that forever changes the life of DCP Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham). When the blast claims the life of a young flower-selling girl he’d just bought a bouquet from, the case becomes painfully personal. Rajeev’s subsequent journey into Tehran dives into geopolitical complexity rooted in true events.

Performance Highlights

• John Abraham delivers perhaps his most mature role to date—quiet but powerful, portraying a man burdened by personal trauma and global responsibility.
• Manushi Chhillar, though limited in screen time, leaves an indelible mark as SI Divya Rana.
• Neeru Bajwa and Hadi Khajanpour (as Afshar Hosseini) add grit and depth, with Khajanpour’s antagonist role being especially memorable.

Direction, Visuals & Sound

Under Arun Gopalan's direction, Tehran feels urgent and authentic. The screenplay by Bindni Karia, Ritesh Shah, and Ashish P. Verma balances personal trauma with international intrigue. Cinematography captures both Delhi’s chaos and Tehran’s layered cityscapes with gritty realism. The score by Ketan Sodha sustains tension, while “Ishq Bukhaar” by Shreya Ghoshal and B-Praak adds emotional weight.

Strengths & Reservations

Strengths: Realism, emotional core, and restrained performances make Tehran stand out. It sensitively portrays ordinary people caught in war’s crossfire and lets politics, pain, and patriotism collide naturally.

Reservations: Expect dense political threads that may overwhelm casual viewers, and pacing that sometimes leans toward documentary style.

Watch the Official Trailer

Verdict

Tehran is a mature, layered geopolitical thriller—driven by a stellar lead, anchored in real-world stakes, and free from melodramatic jingoism. It’s perfect for viewers craving intelligent, emotionally rooted espionage.

Rating Snapshot

Source	Rating
India Today	4 / 5
Times of India	3.5 / 5
Bollywood Hungama	2.5 / 5

Final Recommendation

Watch Tehran if you appreciate spy dramas with moral complexity, nuanced storytelling, and strong performances. It’s one of the best OTT releases this Independence Day—grounded, layered, and emotionally resonant.

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