What if a spy thriller discards all the conventional Bollywood formulae—no gizmos, no superhero stunts, and no song-and-dance breaks—and presents you with the gritty, real, and dangerous world of spycraft? That’s exactly what Tehran, John Abraham‘s new movie on Zee5, tries to do. Placed against the backdrop of politically charged times, this movie is more than yet another hero-villain action film. It’s an intense, high-wire drama that reflects tensions across the globe in a disturbingly realistic fashion.
As the world sees the Middle East in chaos and news headlines splashing Israelis and Iranians confronting each other every other day, Tehran falls like a cold warning. It is not about making a big noise and more about the quiet war being waged in the background—via codewords, tracking devices, and choices that can save a country or ignite a war. And amidst this world of suspicion and betrayal, stands John Abraham—serious, stoic, and startlingly low-key.
But can the movie keep you hooked without the usual masala? Does its grounded tone increase its impact or make you hungry for a bit of more cinematic drama? Let’s go through this John Abraham Tehran movie review and see what works about this thriller, and where it falters.
Tehran Movie Plot: When a Delhi Explosion Triggered an International Spy War
The movie begins with a profoundly disturbing incident—a car bomb explodes on a normal Delhi street, killing a young girl who was not involved in politics or spying. For R&AW veteran Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham), this is not just a case. It’s a personal, agonizing one that sets him on a mission that proves a lot more hazardous than anticipated.
The more RK digs deeper, the more complicated matters become. What begins as a local probe eventually unearths a devious plot between arch-rivals Israel and Iran. Worse still is that the plot is taking place in India itself. RK needs to put an end to this clandestine war from turning into a global catastrophe—and for this, he must conduct the war right in Tehran itself.
They are joined by Shailaja (Neeru Bajwa), an aggressive field agent who’s got it all, and Divya (Manushi Chhillar), a tech wizard whose tools are the key to success. As they hop from the political niceties of Delhi to the wild streets of Tehran, they surf the waves of spies, deceptions, and eavesdropping.
John Abraham in Tehran: A Quiet Force in the World of Noise
This could be John Abraham’s most grown-up and credible performance in years. The adrenaline-fueled heroic stunts and chest-thumping nationalism are gone. In their place, we have Rajeev Kumar—a man toughened by years of working with intelligence, burdened by the weight of the secrets he keeps, and silently resolved to get his job done, no matter that nobody will ever express gratitude for it.
What’s impressive in John’s performance is restraint. He doesn’t require loud monologues or heroic action scenes to get by. It’s in the quiet moments, the furtive glances, the stray tears, and the tight body language that you witness the greatness of his character. His performance brings to mind that true heroes need not be loud—just efficient.
His chemistry with the supporting cast gives the story more heft. He does not overwhelm them but allows them to shine in their moments as well, particularly Neeru Bajwa, who brings grit and vulnerability to the role of an experienced agent.
The Supporting Cast: Capable but Underused in Parts
Neeru Bajwa shines as Shailaja, giving a strong and real performance. Her character is emotionally mature and has field expertise, and she does not take second place to anyone. She commands her space and actively plays her part in the progress of the mission.
Hadi Khanjanpour as Afsar, the Iranian agent, brings an element of genuine danger. He is unnerving to be around, and his acting, even without over-the-top theatrics, speaks volumes about menace. Manushi Chhillar as Divya is crisp-looking and decent in action sequences, but her character is one-dimensional. There is obviously more to her than what we are shown on screen.
Others such as Aly Khan and Quashik Mukherjee capture the bureaucratic aspect of intelligence work with conviction, allowing the audience to see how decisions are made behind closed doors. Although the cast is good, there are some characters who are underdeveloped, particularly female roles that could have added much more to the emotional drama and narrative tension.
Tehran Direction, Realism & Technical Brilliance
Director Arun Gopalan deserves to be commended for his realistic approach. In a debut, he is impressive with the tone and pacing. Rather than going after commercial success, he goes for realism. Surveillance sequences, awkward silences, and ethical conundrums are the pillars upon which the narrative stands.
The violence is crude—not glamorized. Fistfights seem real, not staged. Gun fights are brief and jolting, not glamorized. And the terror of being caught, the heightened paranoia—that’s tension.”.
Cinematographers Ievgen and Evgeniy Gubrenko capture the gritty contrast between Delhi and Tehran beautifully. Whether it’s the dimly lit spy rooms, chaotic Indian streets, or the maze-like Tehran markets, the visuals feel real and immersive. The production design is precise and not exaggerated, making it easier to believe you’re watching real agents at work.
Using Farsi in dialogues adds another level of realism. Yes, you’ll need subtitles—but the payoff is a more immersive experience, especially during scenes in Iran.
Where Tehran Fails: Credibility Gaps and Missed Emotional Punches
While Tehran is impressive in its delivery, it does falter with the larger picture. The geopolitical situation in the middle of the film—India suddenly becoming the focal point of Iran-Israel tensions—remains hurried and undercooked. The international stakes aren’t drawn up convincingly enough, and it feels as if the story manipulates its way to Tehran out of convenience rather than sense.
Also, for a film that starts on such an emotionally strong note—the loss of a child—it fails to hold on to that emotional strand throughout. Some character developments and plot turns are missing the emotional punch required to have a lasting effect. Characters such as Madhurima Tuli are seen for a short while and do not receive sufficient space to breathe, detracting from their potential input towards the story.
But there is a ghostly moment that remains etched in memory. A field agent’s sudden death—quick, brutal, and in silence—stunned you mute. No melodrama, no slow motion. Just raw, unadulterated loss. That one instant is enough to indicate the price of espionage in the most shockingly visceral manner.
Should You Watch Tehran on Zee5?
If you enjoy spy thrillers that abandon the over-the-top drama for something more credible, Tehran is well worth your time. It provides an intelligent, sophisticated approach to espionage, supported by solid performances, exceptional cinematography, and direction that has respect for the intelligence of the viewer.
Yes, it’s not perfect. The plot has holes, and the feelings don’t always work. But it’s a skillfully made movie that’s not afraid to take a chance and do something different—and that in itself is enough to make it worth watching in a sea of formulaic thrillers.
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