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Bollywood star John Abraham is betting big on geopolitical storytelling again. Following politically charged thrillers like “Madras Cafe” and “The Diplomat,” the actor-producer’s latest project, “Tehran,” plunges viewers into the shadowy world of international espionage with a taut thriller inspired by real events that hit close to home.

Directed by Arun Gopalan and produced by Maddock Films, “Tehran” fictionalizes the 2012 bomb explosion near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, weaving a complex narrative that spans Israel, Iran and India. Abraham reprises his character from “Batla House” — based on real-life Delhi police officer Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, here renamed Acp Rajiv Kumar — as he’s pulled into a covert operation that tests loyalties across continents.

But this isn’t just another action thriller for Abraham. The project carries deep personal significance.

“The usual, predictable thing would have been to blame our neighbor. But when we did the forensics, we found out that...

Director Arun Gopalan’s Tehran, streaming on Zee5, is not a bad film. It is certainly more sincere than some of the big-screen espionage spectacles that have hit us lately with all the momentum of ill-aimed missiles. But it misses making an impact, and not for the lack of imagination or authenticity

Tehran is strong, resolute, gritty and authentic. It recounts a Delhi cop Rajeev Kumar’s efforts to liquidate the activities of Iranian terrorists in India after the 2012 attack in Delhi on Israeli diplomats. Rajiv’s trauma after a young street girl loses her life in a bomb blast, his attempts to pacify the girl’s kid bother, leave an impact. Not much of the rest seems equal to the task.

The buildup to the cataclysmic moment when Rajeev vows to get even with the terrorist is pitch perfect. Sadly, this part of the plot is dealt with in...

Directed by Arun Gopalan, “Tehran” quickly establishes its stoic lead character Rajeev Kumar, played by John Abraham, as someone who does not play it safe. Rajeev’s penchant for playing with fire is a recurring theme, from parkouring over dingy Delhi alleys to entering enemy territories without your government’s backup.

Ironically, however, the film does not share the enthusiasm of its lead character. “Tehran” does play it safe. When it comes to crafting a taut espionage thriller, the Zee5 original takes the convenient route. And it does the same, with its non-commital political commentary, when forced to reflect on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which serves as the backdrop for the film’s story.

“Tehran” starts with a literal ‘bang.’ Rajeev, a purposeful officer of the Delhi Police, is called in to investigate the bombing attempt on the Israeli ambassador’s wife. Inspiration comes from the 2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats. In the film,...

When & Where To Stream John Abraham’s Tehran? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Maddock Films’ Tehran, a geopolitical spy thriller starring John Abraham, Manushi Chhillar, Neeru Bajwa, and Madhurima Tuli, is all set to have its world premiere this month. The film follows a man hunted by Iran, abandoned by Israel, and deserted by India, and is a fictionalized version inspired by actual events.

Directed by Arun Gopalan, the movie unfolds against the simmering global tension between Israel and Iran. It dives into the shadowy world of international espionage where one man’s allegiance could tip the balance between loyalty and betrayal.

When & Where To Stream Tehran?

Tehran will exclusively premiere on Zee5 on August 14, 2025, allowing viewers to witness the psychological and political minefield from the comfort of their homes. As seen in the trailer, the story draws inspiration from the 2012 bomb explosion near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, a real-life incident...

~ Premiering on 14th August exclusively on ZEE5 Global, Tehran is a gripping geo-political spy thriller about one man who is hunted by Iran, abandoned by Israel and deserted by India ~

Global, 1st August 2025: ZEE5 Global, the world’s leading streaming platform for South Asian content available globally across 190+ countries, brings viewers Maddock Films’ Tehran — a taut geo-political spy thriller starring John Abraham, Manushi Chhillar, Neeru Bajwa, and Madhurima Tuli this 14th August 2025.

The film is a fictionalized version inspired by true events and unfolds against the simmering global tension between Israel and Iran. Directed by Arun Gopalan, Tehran dives into the shadowy world of international espionage where one man’s allegiance could tip the balance between loyalty and betrayal.

As seen in the trailer, the story draws inspiration from the 2012 bomb explosion near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, a real-life incident that spiraled into complex diplomatic ripples. As Acp...