With an intriguing Independence Day setup Tehran begins strong but quickly drifts toward predictable ground. At first it seems to avoid the usual India versus Pakistan template but soon slips into tired geopolitical messaging and formulaic action.
John Abraham brings back the brooding intensity that made his performance in Madras Café memorable. He is convincing in the action scenes but the script traps him in the same cross border saviour mold he has been playing for years. It would be far more exciting to see him in a heartfelt Raju Hirani drama or an elaborate Sanjay Leela Bhansali romance where he could explore a different side of his talent.
The short runtime and absence of unnecessary subplots work in the film’s favour. Some of the action is done wonderfully, and the cinematography is well-executed. However the editing is choppy and scenes often rush past without emotional payoff. At times the film stretches scenes unnecessarily. The result is pacing that feels hurried but also lethargic with a soundtrack that saps instead of boosts the tension.
Director Arun Gopalan keeps the narrative straightforward but the lack of sharpness and intensity in execution weakens the entire film. The writing is free of gimmicks yet the screenplay feels stitched together without care. Dinesh Vijan made the right call to skip a theatrical release and take the OTT route because on the big screen these flaws would have been even more noticeable.
Tehran ends up as another routine John Abraham spy thriller that ticks every box without offering anything new. It is passable as a casual online watch but leaves no lasting impact.
Sachin’s Take On Tehran
- Score: 2.5 out of 5
- Favorite Moment: A brief quiet scene that hinted at the better film it could have been
- Biggest Surprise: How quickly the promise faded into predictability
- Watch if you are into: Spy thrillers that prioritise pace over depth.
