Tehran Movie Review 2025: Exciting thriller or disappointing spy story?
Introduction
Tehran Movie Review 2025 Bollywood’s latest offering in the spy thriller genre, stars John Abraham in a pivotal role and is based on real-life geopolitical tensions. Directed by Arun Gopalan, the film promises high-octane action and intrigue, but does it deliver or falls short? Being a movie lover who has kept track of Bollywood’s developments, I dived into Tehran expecting a mix of patriotism, suspense and John Abraham’s typical intensity. Releasing on August 9, 2025 exclusively on ZEE5, it is a timely story inspired by true events involving espionage in Iran. In this Tehran Movie Review 2025, we will analyse the plot, cast, highs and lows and audience reactions to find out if it is worth your streaming time or not. With the buzz online being mixed, let’s analyse it.
Tehran Movie Review 2025 Story and Cast
Tehran is the story of an Indian undercover agent named Kashyap (John Abraham) who is sent on a dangerous mission to stop a nuclear threat in Iran. The story is based on true events in 2012, where India allegedly played a role in sabotaging Iran’s nuclear program. Kashyap infiltrates Tehran, becoming entangled in a web of spies, betrayal and moral dilemmas. He meets Farah (Manushi Chillar), a local woman caught in the crossfire, who adds a layer of emotional complexity. Set against the backdrop of Tehran’s bustling streets and misty alleys, the story builds tension through thrilling chases, interrogations and political intrigues.
The cast is led by John Abraham, who brings his physicality and serious charisma to the role. Tehran Movie Review 2025 He’s a quintessential action hero here, reminiscent of his work in Pathan, but with more depth in the quieter moments. Manushi Chillar, in her second major film after Emperor Prithviraj, plays Farah with aplomb, though her character feels incomplete at times. Supporting roles include Hadi Khanjanpour as a dangerous Iranian officer and Madhurima Tuli in a crucial cameo. The ensemble cast is compact, focusing on quality over quantity, unlike mass comedies. What’s special is the authentic portrayal of Iranian culture, with dialogues in Persian and Hindi adding realism.
Tehran Movie Review 2025 The story starts off strong with a covert operation gone wrong, which immediately draws the audience in. There’s no need for over-patriotism; instead, it opts for subtle nationalism. However, the second half becomes predictable, and some of the twists seem forced. Still, the suspense of Kashyap’s identity and the outcome of the mission keeps you hooked. Audience reactions highlight this many praise the pace of the first half, but some call the latter half “terrible” due to a fragmented screenplay.
Film Brief
Director: Arun Gopalan
Producers: Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande, Sameer Dixit
Running: 1 hour 52 minutes
Screenplay: Ritesh Shah, Ashish Prakash Verma
Distributor: ZEE5
Budget: ₹50 crore (approximate)
Box Office Collection: Streaming Views – 1 crore+ in first week (as per early reports)
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Climax and End
The climax takes the action further to the underground hideouts of Tehran, where Kashyap takes on the antagonists in a thrilling sequence. Explosions, scuffles, and a race against time culminate in a satisfying ending. Without spoiling anything, the ending ties up loose ends with a twist that questions loyalty and sacrifice, and leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. This is no typical Bollywood happy ending; instead, it leans towards realism, which has left audiences divided.
Tehran Movie Review 2025 John Abraham’s terrific fight scenes shine here, bringing back memories of his Force series. Manushi’s emotional plot is climactic, but some may feel it has been rushed. The visual effects for the nuclear elements are good, though not Hollywood-level. The songs are few—two tracks that fit the story without disrupting the flow. Overall, the climax makes up for some of the flaws in the screenplay, making this a must-watch for thriller fans.
John Abraham, Manushi Chhillar and highlights
The film’s appeal rests largely on John Abraham’s shoulders. He plays the role of a fearless spy well, and his Iranian heritage adds authenticity (as he mentioned in interviews). It feels like a personal project, connected to his roots. Manushi Chillar handles the action and drama well, but her character lacks depth critics say she comes across as more of a charmer than an equal partner.
Tehran Movie Review 2025 Supporting actors like Hadi Khanjanpour bring gravitas, making the Iranian side seem subtle rather than villainous. The production values are high, the location shooting in Iran (simulated through the sets) captures the atmosphere of the city. There is subtle commentary on India-Iran relations, which feels bold. However, the 18+ elements are absent; it’s clean, focused on the thriller aspects. Audience feedback on X praises John’s acting (“John rocked it again!”), but some critics criticize it.
