Tehran

An espionage film generally thrives on a competent blend of action, emotion, and skillful storytelling that highlights both the plot and its characters.

Unfortunately, Tehran, while focused on presenting investigative procedures in great detail, misses the mark on the essential elements of an idealistic storytelling. Despite featuring numerous events, none resonate as they should, lacking both visual impact and emotional depth.

It's all dull and uninspiring, which is surprising considering how the brilliant trailer had me expecting the exact opposite.

Iran wants to kill you. Israel has deserted you, and your very own country, India, has given up on you. John Abraham's latest offering, Tehran, has him playing one of the most complex and riveting characters in his several-decade-long filmography. Over the last few years, John has organically steered towards geopolitical stories and characters that aren't just another spy or part of a covert agency.

In 'Tehran', John's character, Rajeev Kumar, gets involved in a very complicated case when a bomb blast in Delhi targeting an Israeli diplomat kills an innocent flower-seller. The incident disturbs Rajeev Kumar to such an extent that he decides to put his life at stake to get to the bottom of the matter.

Set against the backdrop of the Iran-Israel conflict, the film examines how ordinary people become collateral damage in someone else's war. Unlike many thrillers in the genre, 'Tehran' doesn't exploit the premise; instead, it sensitively shows every possible facet of the price one has to pay to wage a war.

The screenplay by Bindni Karia, co-written with Ritesh Shah and Ashish Prakash Verma, is the film's strongest asset. Dialogues peppered with Farsi lend authenticity, while director Arun Gopalan draws solid performances from his cast. Neeru Bajwa and Manushi Chhillar make their mark in supporting roles. But, 'Tehran' works because of the conviction that John puts into his role. One of his finest performances till date, the film is a testament that, with a good script and a visionary director, all an actor needs to do is just surrender and keep faith.

A standout is Hadi Khajanpour as antagonist Asraf Khan, who is an absolutely brilliant find. He is not just menacing for the sake of it, but also a sharply etched, powerful character.

The way the film has been shot visually is also impressive. From the dusty lanes of Delhi to Abu Dhabi, the camerawork is brilliant. The action sequences feel very organic and real, with combat scenes that are gritty and extremely tense.

Tehran is a masterclass on how to deliver Deshbhakti without lehraa-oing Tiranga or chanting Jai Hind on the Independence Day! It celebrates the unsung heroes, who are mostly abandoned by their countries for being on missions that are either off-paper or not approved at all!

Whenever John Abraham is an alone man on a mission, he comes out with a brilliant result-be it Madras Cafe or Tehran. With its intelligent script, the film becomes an absolute must-watch for anyone who appreciates quality storytelling and has the patience to research on international relationships and politics before diving into the film.

The film is a solid attempt at showcasing the complex world of inter-country intelligence and counter-terrorism operations at the foreign special operations level. It gives viewers a glimpse into the high-stakes environment where strategy, secrecy, and split-second decisions can alter the course of events.

As expected from a John Abraham movie, the story and script are anchored in realism, much like his remarkable performance in Madras Café, which set a very high benchmark. Naturally, that built anticipation for a film that could deliver cinema grounded deeply in real events and nuanced storytelling.

However, while the intent was strong, the execution fell slightly short. The action sequences lacked the rawness of real-life firefights; instead, they were often overshadowed by stylized heroism and cinematic dramatization. This took away some of the authenticity that a film rooted in real-world conflicts deserves.

In short, the movie works well as an engaging thriller, but for those expecting a gritty, true-to-life portrayal of covert operations, it leaves a bit to be desired.

Verdict: Worth watching for the subject and John Abraham's presence, but don't expect the same layered realism of Madras Café.

Starts with based on a true story and then goes on its own fictional way.

John Abraham is the most consistent actor having the same expression in every seen for 20 years.

Guns are freely available everywhere and you can shoot in every international country - see if it's fiction it's ok - but when u say true story then be true.

I'm surprised it was even released on OTT - looks more like a b grade tv series than a movie.

One man's personal vendetta for some absolutely astoundingly weird reason by putting international relations on the brink and making tons of innocents lose their life to avenge one innocents life.

The director and John rewrote history how they felt - to put it in one word pathetic attempt at an espionage thriller.

John Abraham delivers a career-defining performance in "Tehran," a gritty, geopolitical thriller. Based on real events, the film follows a Delhi Special Cell officer on a high-stakes mission to Iran. Abandoned by his own government, he must navigate a treacherous world of international espionage. Critics praise Abraham's nuanced portrayal, where his silent intensity conveys more than words. The film is a smart, tense, and realistic spy drama that foregoes typical action for a deeply layered and thought-provoking story about justice and patriotism.