When Jammu and Kashmir is grabbing the headlines in the wake of Pahalgam terror attacks, actor Emraan Hashmi delivers one of the most powerful performances of his career in his latest film ‘Ground Zero’. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar the film Ground Zero dives deep into the true story behind the capture of Ghazi Baba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed commander who was responsible for orchestrating the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament. The film opens against the turbulent backdrop of Kashmir, bringing patriotism coupled with moral dilemmas and personal grief.
Known for his serial kisser image, Hashmi has pushed himself out of his comfort zone and kissed the complexities of playing a layered real life character of a BSF officer named Narendra Nath Dubey. We get to see a new and matured Emraan Hashmi who offers a restrained, deeply human performance that acts as the pivot for the film. Ground Zerodoesn’t portray a level high decibel drama but it is a layered fauji drama that questions identity, duty, and sacrifice without jumping into frenzied jingoism.
What sets Ground Zero apart is its writing — sensitive, unflinching, and refreshingly mature. The only areas which we find hard to believe are when Emraan Hashmi is shown in clear defiance of the hierarchy or when he single handedly goes out on a mission to catch Ghazi Baba. Anyone who knows police functioning clearly understands that such rash decisions are never made and any high value operation is carried out by a large group of security personnel. Barring these anomalies the film keeps you engaged till the end.
Deoskar’s direction ensures the narrative remains emotionally charged yet grounded, avoiding the bombastic dialogue delivery that often plagues films of this genre.
Supporting performances by a stellar cast add variety and richness to the story. Sai Tamhankar, as Dubey’s wife Jaya, makes an impact on the audience despite limited screen time as brings tenderness and strength to her and the narrative of yeh film. Zoya Hussain, portraying IB officer Aadila, does justice to her role and looks compelling while navigating the murky intersections of intelligence work and personal conviction with quiet intensity.
The DoP Kamaljeet Negi’s cinematography captures Kashmir’s beauty as well as the element of fear which runs parallel in Kashmir. The long shots from Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar are visually striking and breathtaking. The film has made Kashmir a character in itself.
If there’s one flaw which could have been addressed at the editing table and that is the film’s pacing. The first half is taut and gripping, but the second half falters in the attempt to cobble multiple subplots together. Yet the film regains its footing with a powerful and slightly incredulous climax that stays with you even after the credits roll.
In short, film ‘Ground Zero’ is an engaging and gritty addition to Bollywood’s stable of fauji films. It is a thoughtful, potent and believable film perfectly anchored by one of the finest performances by Emraan Hashmi. It’s not just a ‘Deshbhakti Drama’; it’s a film about common people in India’s security apparatus, their challenges and the sacrifices they make while serving the nation.
FF Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trailer for the film
