The conflict between Israel and Iran is widely known and therefore, inspired by true events that occurred in Georgia, Thailand and India simultaneously, Tehran the geo-political action thriller is based on 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats on Indian soil. At one side is Iran that supplies oil to India and on the other hand Israel helps India with technology. The film shows how beautifully our bureaucrats maneuver this situation without straining our relations with either of them.
Streaming on ZEE 5, this John Abraham starrer gripping thriller premiered on 14 August 2025. The sensitive DCP Rajeev Kumar (by John Abraham) is compelled by his seniors to handle a bomb blast incident in Delhi. He is, involuntarily drawn into a case regarding a deadly blast that ends the life of a 6 year old orphan girl selling flowers by the road signals. Being a father of a daughter who is almost the same age, Rajeev Kumar decides to get into the depth of the matter.
Now that the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) team has collaborated in the blast case, Rajeev Kumar who is also a professionally dedicated intelligence officer who would not rest till the case reaches its conclusion. This dedication pushes him into a covert mission that takes him from the streets of Delhi to Azerbaijan and then to Abu Dhabi from where he reaches Iran by sea route.
What happens if you ignite passion into an emotional and a dedicated patriot, but mid-way try to stop him pursuing the mission? Rajeev Kumar is not the one to leave it half done. The very fact that during the conflict between Iran and Israel that transpired on Indian soil and more so resulting in the death of an Indian girl, this particular factor keeps Rajeev Kumar immersed into the case – he is averse to a clash between 2 foreign countries carrying out hostility on Indian soil.
The narrative explores nationalistic fervor, betrayal, and the murky terrain of international diplomacy, while vividly portraying the moral uncertainties inherent to espionage work. Though the editing is sharp that maintains a fast pace enhancing the film’s suspenseful moments, it could have been a bit crisp in its narration.
Playing the character of an intense Rajeev Kumar, showcasing a man torn between duty and personal loss John Abraham yet again delivers one of his memorable performances, portraying a character who is both emotionally driven and professionally dedicated.
Manushi Chhillar as SI Divya and Neeru Bajwa as Shailja of the RAW contribute with their apt performances, yet it is Hadi Khanjanpour as the antagonist who steals the show with his menacing demeanour. Elnaaz Norouzi as Layla and Madhurima Tuli as Rajeev Kumar’s wife have a brief appearance.
The film contrasts Delhi’s vibrant, busy streets with Tehran’s more restrained and tense environments.
No one (read as any country) has got the right to bring the fight 2 our land as if this issue is not cut at it’s roots, it may turn India into a hotspot for bombs, blasts, and clashes instigated by foreign powers on our soil.
Rajiv Kumar has saved thousands of life by saving a collateral damage. Tehran has a running time of 115 minutes.
Cast of Tehran
John Abraham as ACP Rajeev Kumar
Neeru Bajwa as Sheilaja
Manushi Chhillar as SI Divya Rana
Madhurima Tuli as Vandana, Rajeev Kumar’s wife
Alyy Khan as Neeraj
Elnaaz Norouzi as Layla
Dinkar Sharma as Vijay
Quashik Mukherjee as Himadri
Ido Samuel as Yusuf
Ashwin Kaushal as Dharmesh Jain
Sushil Khatri as Police Commissioner
Hadi Khanjanpour as Afshar Hosseini
Credits of Tehran:
Production companies – Maddock Films, Bake My Cake Films
Directed by Arun Gopalan
Written by Ritesh Shah, Ashish P. Verma, Bindni Karia
Produced by Dinesh Vijan, Shobhna Yadav, Sandeep Leyzell
Cinematography – Ievgen Gubrebko,Andre Menezes
Edited by Akshara Prabhakar
BGM Score – Ketan Sodha
Songs – Tanishk Bagchi
