Tehran review: John Abraham's geopolitical thriller is a terrific watch

4 days ago

Iran wants to kill you. Israel has deserted you, and your very own country, India, has given up on you. John Abraham's latest offering, Tehran, has him playing one of the most complex and riveting characters in his several-decade-long filmography. Over the last few years, John has organically steered towards geopolitical stories and characters that aren't just another spy or part of a covert agency.advertisementIn 'Tehran', John's character, DCP Rajeev Kumar, gets involved in a very complicated case when a bomb blast in Delhi targeting an Israeli diplomat kills an innocent flower-seller. The incident disturbs Rajeev Kumar to such an extent that he decides to put his life at stake to get to the bottom of the matter.Set against the backdrop of the Iran–Israel conflict, the film examines how ordinary people become collateral damage in someone else's war. Unlike many thrillers in the genre, 'Tehran' doesn't exploit the premise; instead, it sensitively shows every possible facet of the price one has to pay to wage a war. The screenplay by Bindni Karia, co-written with Ritesh Shah and Ashish Prakash Verma, is the film's strongest asset. Dialogues peppered with Farsi lend authenticity, while director Arun Gopalan draws solid performances from his cast. Neeru Bajwa and Manushi Chhillar make their mark in supporting roles. But, 'Tehran' works because of the conviction that John puts into his role. One of his finest performances till date, the film is a testament that, with a good script and a visionary director, all an actor needs to do is just surrender and keep faith.A standout is Hadi Khajanpour as antagonist Asraf Khan, who is an absolutely brilliant find. He is not just menacing for the sake of it, but also a sharply etched, powerful character.The way the film has been shot visually is also impressive. From the dusty lanes of Delhi to Abu Dhabi, the camerawork is brilliant. The action sequences feel very organic and real, with combat scenes that are gritty and extremely tense.Tehran is a solid watch and an overall great film for anyone who loves a good geopolitical thriller.- Ends4 out 5 stars to 'Tehan'.Must Watch

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Dramatic Video Shows Al-Qassam Fighters Planting BOMBS

Time of India

2 hours ago

Time of India

Dramatic Video Shows Al-Qassam Fighters Planting BOMBS

Hamas' armed wing has claimed that it reportedly trapped IDF soldiers in a minefield in northern Gaza on Monday. They also released shocking footage as part of their 'Stones of David' operation, in which, fighters can ben seen deploying explosives, targeting advancing Israeli units, and remnants of a D-9 bulldozer after explosions in northern Gaza's Jabalia area. Meanwhile, Hamas has reportedly informed mediators that it accepted a new ceasefire-hostage release proposal. The revised plan includes a 60-day truce, the flow of aid, and the release of hostages in two batches, with 10 confirmed alive and several bodies, according to AFP and Islamic Jihad sources. Read More

Hamas accepts new Gaza ceasefire proposal, is ready to resume talks

First Post

2 hours ago

First Post

Hamas accepts new Gaza ceasefire proposal, is ready to resume talks

The plan under discussion centres on a truce and phased hostage releases, with further negotiations over a longer-term settlement A drone view shows displaced Palestinians sheltering in tents set up near the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City on February 17, 2025. Reuters File Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza and signalled readiness to resume talks, according to officials briefed on the mediation by Egypt and Qatar. The group told intermediaries it agreed to the plan without seeking changes. Israel has not issued a formal response. The initiative comes amid mounting international concern over an expanded Israeli campaign in and around Gaza City and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The plan under discussion centres on a truce and phased hostage releases, with further negotiations over a longer-term settlement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Inside the proposal An Islamic Jihad source, aligned with Hamas, said the draft envisages a 60-day ceasefire. In the first phase, 10 Israeli hostages would be freed alive along with a number of bodies, with remaining captives to be released in a second phase as talks continue. Recent tallies suggest 49 hostages remain in Gaza, including at least 27 the Israeli military assesses to be dead. There was no immediate public reply from the Israeli government on Monday (August 18). The latest proposal follows Israel's security cabinet approval of plans to expand operations in Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, a step that has drawn criticism abroad and stirred debate at home. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, backed by the US, have pressed for a durable arrangement that could anchor further talks. As diplomacy intensified, President Donald Trump wrote that hostages would return 'when Hamas is confronted and destroyed'. Egypt has indicated it is willing to take part in an international force for Gaza if any deployment is backed by a UN Security Council resolution and tied to a political horizon. Mediators are expected to seek swift technical talks on sequencing any truce, hostage exchanges and humanitarian access. Whether Israel signs on will determine if the latest opening becomes a breakthrough. A dire humanitarian situation Nearly two years of war have left Gaza in ruins. The Palestinian health ministry says the death toll has passed 62,000, with aid agencies warning of famine and disease. On Monday, Amnesty International accused Israel of pursuing a deliberate policy of starvation. Israel rejects that characterisation and says it does not target civilians. With inputs from agencies

US Envoy says Israel's turn to 'comply' as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah

The Hindu

3 hours ago

The Hindu

US Envoy says Israel's turn to 'comply' as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah

U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack on Monday (August 18, 2025) called on Israel to honour commitments under a ceasefire that ended its war with Hezbollah, after the Lebanese government launched a process to disarm the militant group. Under the November truce, which ended more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group was to withdraw its fighters from near the Israeli border and weapons were to come under the control of the Lebanese state. Israel was to withdraw its troops from the country but has kept them at five border points it deems strategic and has continued to strike Lebanon, threatening to do so until Hezbollah has been disarmed. "There's always a step-by-step approach but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They've taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply," Barrack said following a meeting in Beirut with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. "We're all moving in the right direction," he said after meeting parliament speaker Nabih Berri. Berri, a Hezbollah ally, said Israel's commitment to the ceasefire and its troop withdrawal was "the gateway to stability in Lebanon", a statement said. 'Progress' Asked by reporters whether he expected to see Israel fully withdraw from Lebanese territory and stop its violations, Barrack said that "that's exactly the next step" needed. "We need participation on the part of Israel, and we need an economic plan for prosperity, restoration and renovation," the US diplomat added, with Lebanon weighed down by an economic crisis. Barrack said Washington was "in the process of now discussing with Israel what their position is", adding that "in the next few weeks you're going to see progress on all sides." "It means a better life for the people... and at least the beginning of a roadway to a different kind of dialogue" in the region, he said. The visit comes after Lebanon's cabinet tasked the army with developing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by year end -- an unprecedented step since civil war factions gave up their weapons decades ago. The cabinet has also tackled a US proposal that includes a timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament, with Washington pressing Lebanon to take action. The cabinet endorsed the introduction of the US text, which lists 11 objectives including to "ensure the sustainability" of the ceasefire, and to phase out "the armed presence of all non-state actors, including Hezbollah" across all Lebanese territory. It also provides for demarcating Lebanon's land borders with Israel and neighbouring Syria, and a process involving the international community to support reconstruction. 'Lebanese process' Aoun told Barrack that what was needed was for "other parties to adhere to the contents" of the joint declaration, "more support for the Lebanese army", and expedited steps towards reconstruction, the presidency said. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Washington needed to "fulfil its responsibility in pressuring Israel halt hostilities", withdraw troops and release Lebanese prisoners it holds. Hezbollah, the only faction that kept its weapons after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, emerged badly weakened from last year's war with Israel. On Friday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed to fight plans to disarm, saying that "the resistance will not surrender its weapons while... occupation persists". On Sunday, Aoun told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya channel authorities would do "everything possible... to spare Lebanon any internal or external shock". If Lebanon rejected the US plan, "then Israel will intensify its attacks, Lebanon will be economically isolated, and none of us will be able to respond to the aggression", he said. Barrack on Monday stressed that "dealing with Hezbollah, as we've always said, is a Lebanese process".