Mumbai, 14th August 2025: ZEE5 marked India’s 79th Independence Day with a high-impact, theme-driven campaign for its latest original film Tehran, starring John Abraham. In keeping with the platform’s ethos of purposeful storytelling and bold marketing, the campaign was designed to spark conversation by aligning the film’s geopolitical themes with real-world institutions and national sentiment, timed perfectly around Independence Day.
Tehran’s marketing campaign seized India’s imagination with an all-encompassing 360° approach. From prime television slots and the full backing of the Z network to high-visibility hoardings across MP, UP, and Mumbai, exclusive screenings, and striking on-ground spectacles, the campaign left no medium untouched. A precision-planned social media takeover, amplified by curated content partnerships, extended the reach even further — transforming Tehran into a cultural talking point. This wasn’t just a film release; it was a nationwide experience that audiences saw, heard, and felt everywhere.
Among its standout activations was ZEE5’s exclusive partnership with the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi. Given the film’s deep dive into foreign intelligence and diplomacy, the collaboration brought an authentic edge. A first in the world, exclusive screening was hosted for SSIFS students and their families, followed by a thought-provoking Q&A with John Abraham, where he engaged with aspiring diplomats on the nuances of playing a covert operative and the sensitivities of portraying international affairs on screen.
Further elevating the film’s premiere, ZEE5 orchestrated a grand visual projection on Mumbai’s iconic Bandra Worli Sea Link. On release day, the Tehran poster was beamed across the landmark in a striking display, witnessed live by thousands, including John Abraham himself. The moment, set against the backdrop of Independence Day celebrations, symbolised strength, patriotism, and cinematic scale.
Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, added, “With Tehran, we set out to bridge fiction and reality by anchoring our campaign in national institutions, iconic landmarks, and the spirit of Independence Day. The first-ever exclusive screening in partnership with Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service allowed us to engage a highly relevant and discerning audience, sparking meaningful conversations that extended beyond entertainment. Lighting up the Bandra Worli Sea Link on release day ensured that Tehran launched with cultural impact at the very heart of Mumbai, creating a moment as unforgettable as the film itself. The result is a campaign that not only promotes a release, but also inspires pride, intrigue, and lasting recall, cementing Tehran as both a cinematic and cultural milestone.”
Kaveri Das, Business Head, Hindi ZEE5, shared, “Tehran is a marquee film for us that reflects ZEE5’s strategy to deliver bold, premium storytelling with strong market differentiation. As a high intensity geo-political thriller, it appeals to a discerning audience segment, and we timed its release with Independence Day to maximize cultural relevance. The premiere at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service created an authentic platform for engagement while the large-scale projection on the Bandra Worli Sea Link delivered strong on-ground visibility. This integrated approach is exactly the kind of cinematic event we want to champion on ZEE5 – one that excites, engages and resonates deeply”.
With Tehran, ZEE5 once again reinforces its commitment to platform-first originals backed by strategic marketing that elevates storytelling into conversation.
John Abraham remarked, “Being part of Tehran has been a phenomenal journey. Going by my film choices over the years, it’s obvious that I have an ongoing love affair with the country — a connection that finds its way into almost everything I do on screen. My fascination with geo-politics made this story an instant draw for me. Interacting with the brilliant minds at SSIFS was both inspiring and humbling and watching the film’s poster light up the Bandra Worli Sea Link was a proud, unforgettable moment. I’m thankful to ZEE5 for giving Tehran such a powerful platform, and its release over the Independence Day weekend makes it the perfect time for audiences to dive into a story that blends high-stakes action with the spirit of patriotism”.
Tehran is streaming now exclusively on ZEE5
