The heat is on! Tehran, the John Abraham–Manushi Chhillar geopolitical thriller, is reportedly bypassing theatres with a direct-to-Zee5 premiere, slated for August 15, 2025. Backed by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, this high-octane actioner marks the first full-fledged OTT release for John Abraham..
Why OTT? A Global Thriller Finds Its Digital Home
Insiders revealed that Tehran is crafted with an international flavour: sub-two-hour runtime, authentic dialogues spanning Hindi, English, and Farsi. Such tightly woven, cinema-light format makes it perfect for OTT and binge-worthy storytelling.Additionally, the India–Pakistan Independence Day release theme fits well with the August 15 digital drop.
John Abraham’s First OTT Lead Role
While John cameoed in Sardar Ka Grandson (Netflix 2021), Tehran is his debut lead role announcement directly into the streaming space. It’s a smart choice given OTT’s growing clout and limited theatrical window for niche thrillers
From 2023’s Theatre Calendar to OTT Strategy
Tehran was initially slated for a January 25, 2023 theatrical release. But due to scheduling conflicts with Pathaan and other production delays, its theatrical launch was shelved. Rumours earlier this year hinted at a May release—but nothing concrete surfaced. Today’s OTT move seems to resolve those delays and ensures the story reaches audiences fast.
What Tehran Promises
- A compact, lean thriller based on real events
- Authentic dialogues in multiple languages for added realism
- Shot across Glasgow, Mumbai, and Delhi—an international canvas
- Directed by Arun Gopalan, with a strong cast including Madhurima Tuli, and Manushi Chhillar
This isn’t just another streaming flick—it’s Maddock’s bet on a slick, globally-tuned narrative.
Jay‑Ho! Final Take
Tehran‘s pivot to OTT reflects a larger shift: niche films now find loyal audiences online rather than risking a theatrical flop. With John Abraham’s OTT debut as a lead, the film could set a trend. It’s fast, globally styled, and OTT-ready—a new blueprint for Indian thrillers.
If all goes to plan, expect to stream Tehran from August 15 onwards on Zee5. For John Abraham and Maddock, this is a bold gamble—one that could redefine how action thrillers find their audience.
