Tehran

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.

I think the movie was well thought out. The various challenges faced by the team investigating the assassinations could have been better presented.

One misguided notion the director went with was to consider the state of Georgia of the United States of America same as the country Georgia in eastern Europe where the original incident happened in Feb 2012. I am taking away a star due to this.

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.

Tehran doesn't offer neat resolutions, and that's part of its brilliance. RK's mission is filled with moments where he could give up yet he doesn't. The interplay between political pressure, personal loss, and the unrelenting pursuit of truth is what makes this more than just another spy thriller. The abandonment by his own country feels like the ultimate betrayal, but also the ultimate test of his character. This is a film that stays with you, urging you to think about the hidden costs of national security games.

The movie has wonderful making even comparable to an Hollywood action flick. The actors did justice to their roles as well. But having the movie named Tahran and shooting the action scenes in an blantantly visible English speaking country ruins the authenticity of the movie. Should have been at least shot in an Arabic or Persian speaking region.