Ground Zero movie updates and review HIGHLIGHTS: Emraan Hashmi’s battle film to start low, sells 4000 tickets; know all about cast, plot, certification

Director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar recently spoke about the importance of his upcoming film Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, emphasizing its roots in true events. In a conversation with ANI, he revealed that the film is set in Kashmir during the early 2000s and centers on a critical operation led by BSF officer Narendra Nath Dubey, who played a significant role in neutralizing the notorious terrorist mastermind "Ghazi Baba."

Deoskar explained that the story draws entirely from real-life incidents. He detailed that Dubey, whose full name is Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, had been stationed in Kashmir for eight years, during which he developed a deep understanding of the region, its people, and the functioning of terror networks. He highlighted that Ghazi Baba, known for masterminding the 2001 Parliament attack, was a highly feared figure at the time.

According to the director, it was Dubey’s relentless efforts that led to the successful tracking and elimination of the terrorist. However, the mission came at a personal cost. Despite the toll, Deoskar noted that Dubey continues to express unwavering patriotism, believing that no sacrifice is too great for the country.

The film Ground Zero highlights the story of a Border Security Force (BSF) operation, marking a historic moment as it became the first movie to premiere in Kashmir in 38 years. The event was a monumental cultural milestone, celebrated by both the local community and the BSF.

Leading the cast, Emraan Hashmi, who portrays a BSF Commandant, was joined by co-star Sai Tamhankar, director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, and producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Dolly Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Dandekar. The premiere also saw the presence of the production team, who made a grand entrance for a special screening dedicated to BSF personnel.

Emraan Hashmi, who plays the lead in Ground Zero, shared that he believes films should primarily serve as a source of entertainment. Speaking to Filmfare, the actor explained that while it's great if a movie delivers a message, that should be seen as a bonus, like icing on the cake.

He further commented on how audiences have become increasingly sensitive, largely due to the impact of social media. "These days, people tend to take offense easily and often take things portrayed in films personally, which is largely a result of the environment social media has created," he said.

Emraan Hashmi’s latest film managed to sell just over 4,000 tickets across the leading national cinema chains, PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis, for its first day, indicating a rather weak start in terms of advance bookings. However, advance sales were never expected to be the film’s strong suit.

Featuring Sai Tamhankar and Zoya Hussain alongside Hashmi, the film is banking heavily on positive word-of-mouth to drive its box office performance. Despite an expected modest opening of under Rs1 crore, the movie’s long-term success will largely depend on audience reception and reviews.