John Abraham's Spy Thriller Tehran Set for Global Release on Netflix After ZEE5 Premiere

John Abraham's spy thriller Tehran, directed by Arun Gopalan, premiered on ZEE5 on August 14, 2025, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The film will release on Netflix on August 26, 2025, targeting a global audience. Tehran is a geopolitical thriller that explores the world of espionage, diplomacy, and covert operations against an India-Iran backdrop. The film stars John Abraham as ACP Rajeev Kumar, who becomes entangled in a dangerous international mission.

John Abraham's latest venture, the spy thriller "Tehran," directed by Arun Gopalan, premiered on ZEE5 on August 14, 2025, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The film will also be available on Netflix from August 26, 2025, targeting a global audience. "Tehran" is a geopolitical thriller that delves into the world of espionage, diplomacy, and covert operations, set against the backdrop of an India-Iran conflict.

The film stars John Abraham as ACP Rajeev Kumar, a character based on the real-life Delhi police officer Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. The narrative fictionalizes the 2012 bomb explosion near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, weaving a complex story that spans Israel, Iran, and India. The plot involves Kumar becoming entangled in a dangerous international mission, exploring the intricacies of geopolitical tensions and the human cost of conflict.

"Tehran" is produced by Maddock Films and distributed by ZEE5. The film's soundtrack is composed by Tanishk Bagchi and Irshad Kamil, with background scores by Ketan Sodha. The first single, "Ishq Bukhaar," was released on August 7, 2025, generating significant buzz among audiences.

The film has received mixed reviews from critics. Tushar Joshi from India Today rated it 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the film's sensitivity in portraying ordinary people caught in the crossfire of war. Ronak Kotecha from The Times of India rated it 3.5 stars out of 5, appreciating its realism and strong performances. Lachmi Deb Roy from Firstpost rated it 3 out of 5 stars, commending its portrayal of geopolitical tension but noting its slow-burn nature. Shubhra Gupta from The Indian Express rated it 2.5 stars out of 5, noting Abraham's performance as noteworthy. Bollywood Hungama rated it 2.5 stars out of 5, commending the action, production design, and editing but noting underutilization of some cast members.

The film's release on ZEE5 and Netflix is a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality content on OTT platforms. This move also positions "Tehran" to compete with other global spy thrillers in the market. The film's success could potentially open new avenues for Indian content in the global streaming market, providing a significant financial boost to the film's production and distribution companies.

References
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_(2025_film)
[2] https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65433234/?ref_=nwc_art_perm