Tehran (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – After a 2012 Delhi bombing, officer RK’s Tehran mission turns deadly when Iran targets him and India abandons him in his quest to expose the truth.

My Take – While the weekend saw the world generally flock to the latest bombastic cinematic installment of the ambitious YRF Spy Universe, it also saw ZEE5 quietly release a political thriller that saw John Abraham getting entangled in stripped down yet riveting spy games.

Backed by Dinesh Vijan‘s Maddock Films and helmed by debutante director Arun Gopalan, the long-delayed film takes a real, little-known 2012 incident and turns it into a high-stakes cross-border drama that accurately melds storytelling with psychological impact, without overstating the experience.

It is forward-facing in atmosphere, purpose and international politics, rather than just focusing on spectacle or action. Though it’s never loud or explosive, yet it leaves us clutching our home seats.

Sure, a few cinematic liberties have been taken, but the narrative remains constantly engaging due to its impeccable cinematography, immersive background score, authentic language use, and above all, the performances. Making it a worthwhile watch for anyone who enjoys geopolitical thrillers, minus any chest-thumping patriotism, and prefer a layered narrative.

Taking place in 2012, a time when Iran and Israel are at loggerheads and carrying out operations against each other across the globe. However, when Iran’s latest attack on an Israeli diplomat in Delhi leaves many injured and a poor seven year old flower girl dead, the story sets its focus on ACP Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham), who leads a Special Cell, and is handed over the case due to his maniacal and unwavering determination.

Though he is under constant pressure to hand over the case to RA&W since it’s an international matter, Rajeev continues his pursuit of the perpetrators, particularly Afshar Hosseini (Hadi Khanjanpour), as the attack took place on Indian soil.

Even setting his sights on Tehran. Joined by his subordinates, SI Divya Rana (Manushi Chhillar) & Vijay (Dinker Sharma), and R&AW officer Sheilaja (Neeru Bajwa), Rajeev begins an unsanctioned high-stakes manhunt in an unknown city, navigating delicate relationships between Iran, Israel, and India.

Here, director Arun Gopalan sets the tone with a concise, impactful voice-over on the historic rift between Israel and Iran, swiftly segueing into an explosive opening. He keeps the film tightly paced, rarely letting the tension drop.

Co-scripted by Ritesh Shah and Ashish Prakash Verma, and with an original story by Bindi Karia, the narrative keeps the tone composed and grounded, letting the audience feel the tension rather than overwhelming them with exaggerated heroics. The action sequences are crisp and well-choreographed, and the thriller elements are tightly woven, keeping viewers hooked until the end.

Most surprisingly, the film doesn’t negotiate authenticity. It is rare for an Indian film to have Farsi dialogues in its entirety without resorting to dubbing or having characters speak in a forced, accented English for wider appeal. Even John speaks the foreign language with the Iranians in a couple of exchanges.

Much of the impact stems from its cinematography, which favors tight framing and sharp contrasts to heighten unease, often shifting between shadow-heavy interiors and wide, almost desolate exteriors of the city Tehran. This visual design underscores the sense of isolation at the heart of the narrative, giving the film a stylistic edge even when the storytelling takes familiar turns.

Performance wise, John Abraham brings a steady, controlled turn & brings to life one of the most complex and riveting characters in his two-decade-long filmography. Hadi Khajanpour is a standout. He is not just menacing for the sake of it, but also a sharply etched, powerful character.

However, Manushi Chhillar is wasted. She leaves little impact with her barely-there screen time. In other roles, Neeru Bajwa, Alyy Khan, Dinkar Sharma, Elnaaz Norouzi, Adam Karst, Allon Sylvain and Madhurima Tuli provide excellent support. On the whole, ‘Tehran’ is a gripping spy thriller that is throughout intense, engaging and sharp.