Tehran Movie Review: John Abraham Starrer Is A Cinematic Chess Game Of Diplomacy And Deception

Tehran Movie Review: When you start watching Tehran, you would expect John Abraham to storm the screen with explosive action and gravity-defying kicks. However, be prepared for a pleasant curveball. This time, he trades the chest-thumping heroics for a measured, tightly-held intensity — a slow burn rather than a fiery blast. Under Arun Gopalan’s direction, and loosely based on the 2012 Israeli diplomat attack in India, the film weaves a gripping mix of political intrigue, moral conflict, and unexpected emotional depth.

Tehran Movie Plot

The story opens with a sobering voiceover sketching the decades of hostility between Iran and Israel, instantly signalling that this is no simplistic 'good versus evil' tale. A bomb blast in Delhi becomes the catalyst, killing several, including a young flower seller known to DCP Rajeev Kumar (John Abraham). Tasked with the investigation, Rajeev finds himself entangled in a case that is as personal as it is political, with stakes stretching far beyond official protocols.

Visually, Tehran is meticulously crafted. Cinematographers Ievgen Gubrebko and Andre Menezes capture Delhi’s grit and Abu Dhabi’s stark chill with striking precision. The film’s colour palette shifts with the emotional beats — warm tones in Rajeev’s private moments, drained hues during the labyrinthine corridors of espionage. Ketan Sodha’s score stays understated, letting the mounting tension breathe, while Akshara Prabhakar’s crisp editing ensures the narrative stays lean and purposeful.

Cast And Performances

John Abraham’s portrayal of Rajeev is a notable departure from his familiar screen image. There are no flamboyant action set-pieces or patriotic speeches - just a man wrestling with quiet grief, contained fury, and moral uncertainty. It may well be one of his most restrained and thoughtful performances, proving that silence can carry more weight than a dozen action sequences.

Neeru Bajwa delivers a composed yet compelling turn as diplomat Sheilaja, a woman always several moves ahead in a diplomatic chess game. Manushi Chhillar, though sparingly used as SI Divya Rana, leaves her mark in a role that subtly redirects the story’s course, matching the film’s understated but tense atmosphere. The supporting characters have performed well and kept the narrative engaging throughout.

Tehran Review

The screenplay by Ritesh Shah, Ashish P. Verma, and Bindni Karia stands out for its refusal to oversimplify. It avoids preachy exposition, instead trusting the audience to navigate the layered realities of international politics, national interest, and individual responsibility. India’s position — caught in the middle of global power plays - is depicted with nuance and authenticity.

Hadi Khajanpour’s Asraf Khan, the suspected terrorist, is chilling precisely because he’s calm and methodical, never overplaying the menace. Even secondary characters are written with intent, giving the world a lived-in weight where everyone has something to hide.

A turning point comes when Rajeev abandons official channels. With the system paralysed by diplomatic red tape, he steps into the grey zone, pursuing his own version of justice. The stakes escalate, and the line between right and wrong becomes perilously thin.

Tehran Movie Verdict- 3.5/5

At its core, Tehran is less about delivering clear answers and more about probing uncomfortable questions. Victories come at a price, justice isn’t neatly packaged, and heroes often operate in the murk of moral compromise. The ending refuses to offer tidy closure, lingering in the mind long after the credits roll.

Produced by Maddock Films and Bake My Cake Films, Tehran avoids chest-beating nationalism in favour of intelligence, subtlety, and genuine emotional stakes. It’s a taut geopolitical thriller for viewers who appreciate sharp writing, layered characters, and a John Abraham who surprises you in the best possible way. The movie is now streaming on ZEE5.