Director – Arun Gopalan 
Cast – John Abraham, Neeru Bajwa, Manushi Chhillar, Hadi Khajanpour 
Duration – 118 Minutes 
 
In a year overflowing with mindless action and glossy spectacle, Tehran stands apart—not just for what it shows, but for what it dares to say. Directed by Arun Gopalan, this geopolitical thriller plunges deep into the shadows of espionage, global diplomacy, and personal grief, led by a refreshingly restrained and layered performance from John Abraham.
 
Inspired by the real-life 2012 attack on Israeli diplomats in Delhi, Tehran wastes no time setting a grim tone. A bombing in a bustling market—resulting in the tragic death of a flower-selling girl—becomes the catalyst for a complex, emotionally-charged investigation. DCP Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham), a member of Delhi Police’s Special Cell, is assigned the case. But this isn’t just another operation. For Rajeev, the girl’s death is a personal loss, and this case slowly turns into something far more dangerous: a mission fueled by emotion.
 
This is easily one of John Abraham’s most grounded roles in years. He dials down the heroics and leans into vulnerability, playing a man quietly unraveling under the weight of loss, duty, and bureaucratic shackles. There’s no over-the-top speech or slow-mo punch—just a man trying to make sense of a chaotic, often unjust world. And somehow, that makes him more powerful than ever.
 
Neeru Bajwa plays Sheilaja, a composed diplomat constantly walking the tightrope of international relations. With little more than sharp glances and clipped dialogue, she conveys both knowledge and restraint. Manushi Chhillar, though underused, plays a pivotal role as SI Divya Rana and holds her own. But the real surprise comes from Hadi Khajanpour, who delivers a haunting performance as the elusive suspect, Asraf Khan. He’s unnerving in his calmness, never tipping into cartoonish villainy.
 
The screenplay, by Ritesh Shah, Ashish P. Verma, and Bindni Karia, doesn’t rely on loud patriotism or easy resolutions. Instead, it thrives in ambiguity—constantly reminding the viewer that in the world of geopolitics, there are no clear heroes or villains. Every decision has consequences, and everyone’s hands are, in some way, dirty. There are moments where the film slows down to breathe, sometimes teetering on the edge of sluggishness—but it’s all in service of the mood and moral messiness the story demands.
 
Visually, the film is stunning. Cinematographers Ievgen Gubrebko and Andre Menezes do a masterful job in using light and landscape to echo the emotional journey—whether it’s the humid haze of Delhi or the sterile, distant tension of Abu Dhabi. The production feels authentic, never showy. The same can be said for the action sequences, which are crisp, realistic, and—crucially—motivated by story, not spectacle.
 
The film’s second half takes a thrilling turn as Rajeev decides to act without official sanction, pushing the story into murkier, more urgent territory. It’s in these moments that Tehran fully comes alive, reminding us just how thin the line between duty and obsession can be.
 
Produced by Maddock Films and Bake My Cake Films, Tehran isn’t just a film about spies or politics—it’s a story about people trapped in systems bigger than themselves. It asks tough questions and doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. And maybe that’s exactly why it works. For fans of slow-burn thrillers with brains, heart, and a sharp eye on reality, Tehran is absolutely worth your time.
 
Streaming now on ZEE5.