John Abraham explains why 'Tehran' skipped theater release for OTT
14 Aug 2025

The geopolitical thriller Tehran, starring John Abraham and Manushi Chhillar, premiered on Zee5 on Thursday.

The movie is directed by Arun Gopalan and produced by Maddock Films.

In a recent interview with News18 Showsha, Abraham spoke about the decision to release the film directly on OTT instead of in theaters.

He said that it was a tough choice but ultimately necessary for the film's success.

Abraham on why 'Tehran' won't work theatrically
Release strategy

Abraham said, "Yes, to be honest, you do feel disheartened and disappointed that this film is not releasing theatrically."

"But at the same time, what we thought was the biggest advantage of this film, the Iran-Israel conflict, also turned out to be its Achilles's heel."

"I don't think this film would have seen the light of day in theaters, so I'm thankful to Zee5 for giving us a platform to put it out. It was a double or quits scenario."

Actor on film's importance, why it's not a jingoistic narrative
Film promotion

Abraham also spoke about the film's significance and why it should be on everyone's watchlist this Independence Day.

He said, "It's very important to put out a good film, and Tehran is exactly that, a meaningful story."

"It's not your typical jingoistic narrative; it tackles terrorism and explores the idea that we, as Indians, are not a playground or a battleground for other countries to fight their wars."

"That's what Tehran is about, an edge-of-the-seat political thriller."

More about the film and its cast
Film synopsis

In Tehran, Abraham plays ACP Rajiv Kumar, a man caught between his duty and conscience.

The film explores international espionage and the Iran-Israel geopolitical conflict.

Chhillar plays SI Divya Rana, a fearless officer dedicated to her country.

Punjabi actor Neeru Bajwa plays Sheilaja, a character with emotional depth.

The film offers a gripping blend of political tension, espionage, and human emotion, making it a perfect watch for the Independence Day weekend.