John Abraham thinks Tehran wouldn't have passed censorship to be shown in theaters; Here's why
John Abraham's Tehran has got a direct OTT release on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) on August 14. The film is directed by Arun Gopalan.
John Abraham in Tehran
Last Updated: 06.19 PM, Aug 09, 2025
When the makers of Tehran announced that the film would have a direct-to-OTT release and skip theatrical release, fans expressed their disappointment because they wanted the action thriller to be experienced on a big screen. In a recent interview, John Abraham said that the film would not have passed the CBFC certificate to be shown in theatres.
John Abraham on censorship ahead of Tehran release
Speaking to India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, John Abraham opened up about censorship and its challenges for filmmakers. Addressing the hurdles faced in getting his film, John highlighted the complexities filmmakers face when dealing with political sensitivities while staying true to their creative vision.
Abraham expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs for allowing Tehran to be shown and added, "I don't think this film (Tehran) would have passed to be shown in theatres, to be very honest. I'm grateful to the Ministry of External Affairs." His comments highlight the bureaucratic processes that can affect a film's distribution.
When asked whether he would prefer no censor board at all or minimal censorship, the actor said that censorship is needed, but the way it's being overseen could be a big question mark, suggesting a balance between creative expression and regulatory oversight.
He added, "Till now, they’ve been good and kind with us, and I’ve been responsible with the way I’ve made and spoken in my films. For the record, I’m not right-wing, I’m not left-wing - I’m apolitical, but politically aware. And it’s important for me to make an honest statement."
About Tehran
Tehran revolves around a high-level mission to a foreign country, inspired by real-life events and set against the backdrop of global tensions between Iran and Israel. The story follows ACP Rajiv Kumar (John Abraham) as he deals with a complex web of espionage, political intrigue, and personal conflict. He is caught between competing interests, facing a situation where he is being hustled by Iran, abandoned by Israel, and abandoned by his own country, India.
The film also stars Manushi Chhillar as S.I. Divya Rana and Neeru Bajwa as Sheilaja.
Catch Tehran on ZEE5 via OTTplay Premium on August 14, 2025.
FAQs
Q: Where can I watch John Abraham's Tehran?
A: Tehran, the geopolitical action thriller starring John Abraham, is slated for a digital release on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium). It will be released on August 14, 2025.
Q: Is Tehran a movie or a series?
A: John Abraham's Tehran is a movie based on real-life incidents.
Q: Why is the Tehran movie not released?
A: Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, John Abraham said that it faced a delay because of the conflicts and controversies that are happening internationally. The actor added, “Theatres were a little wary of picking up a film that had Iran and Israel in it. We had a choice of either showing the film somewhere or not showing it at all.”