Ground Zero (2025 film)
| Ground Zero | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar |
| Written by | Sanchit Gupta Priyadarshee Srivastava |
| Based on | Operation Ghazi Baba |
| Produced by | Ritesh Sidhwani Farhan Akhtar Abhishek Kumar Nishikant Roy Kassim Jagmagia Vishal Ramchandani Sundeep C Sidhwani Arhan Bagati |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kamaljeet Negi |
| Edited by | Chandrashekhar Prajapati |
| Music by | Score: John Stewart Eduri Songs: Tanishk Bagchi Rohan-Rohan Sunny Inder |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | AA Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 134 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Box office | ₹9.25–10.35 crore[2][3] |
Ground Zero is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, under Excel Entertainment. The film revolves around the story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who led the operation in which terrorist Rana Tahir Nadeem, better known as Ghazi Baba, was killed in 2003. It stars Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, and Zoya Hussain in the lead roles.
The film was theatrically released on 25 April 2025.[4]
Plot
Set in the early 2000s, Ground Zero follows BSF Deputy Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), who is tasked with dismantling a growing terror network in Kashmir. The film begins with the emergence of the "pistol gang," a group of radicalized college students responsible for targeted killings of security personnel in Srinagar. As Dubey investigates, he uncovers links to a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Rana Tahir Nadeem, alias Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.[5]
Despite setbacks, including a failed joint operation with the Intelligence Bureau, Dubey persists with the help of a local informant, Husain (Mir Mehrooz). His relentless pursuit leads to a high-stakes encounter with Ghazi Baba, culminating in one of India's most significant counter-terrorism successes.[6]
The film delves into the psychological and emotional toll on Dubey, portraying his internal conflicts and the personal sacrifices made in the line of duty. It also highlights the broader challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism while navigating complex socio-political landscapes.[7]
Cast
- Emraan Hashmi as Second-in-Command of BSF Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey
- Sai Tamhankar as Jaya Dubey
- Zoya Hussain as Aadila, an IB officer
- Mukesh Tiwari as Sanjiv Sharma, Commandant of BSF
- Deepak Paramesh as Binu Ramchandra, Deputy Commandant of BSF
- Lalit Prabhakar as Praveen, Assistant Commandant of BSF
- Rockey Raina as Ghazi Baba
- Rahul Vohra as Dhyaan
- Hanun Bawra as Ahmed
- Mir Mehrooz as Husain, informant of N.N.D Dubey
- Ekluvya as Chand Khan
- Qazi Faiz as Hakeem
- Ram Avatar as PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Punit Tiwari as Tariq Malik
- Imran Farooq as ACP Hamid (J&K)
- Syed Aqib Shah as Ansar
- Krishna Sharma as Rishi
- Abhay Dheeraj Singh as Amanpreet
- Satya Prakash as Ranjan
Production
Emraan Hashmi wrapped up shooting for the film on 22 November 2022.[8][9]
Filming
Principal photography took place in Jammu and Kashmir.[10]
Promotion
A special screening of the film Ground Zero was hosted for BSF Jawans in Srinagar in April 2025.[11]
Soundtrack
| Ground Zero | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |||||
| Released | 18 April 2025 | ||||
| Recorded | 2024–2025 | ||||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 12:42 | ||||
| Language | Hindi | ||||
| Label | Zee Music Company | ||||
| Producer | Ritesh Sidhwani Farhan Akhtar | ||||
| |||||
The music of the film is composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Rohan-Rohan and Sunny Inder while lyrics are written by Vayu, Rashmi Virag, Kumaar and Irshad Kamil.[12]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "So Lene De" | Vayu | Tanishk Bagchi | Jubin Nautiyal, Afsana Khan | 3:14 |
| 2. | "Lahoo" | Rashmi Virag | Tanishk Bagchi | Sonu Nigam | 2:44 |
| 3. | "Fateh" | Kumaar | Sunny Inder | Divya Kumar | 2:54 |
| 4. | "Pehli Dafa" | Irshad Kamil | Rohan-Rohan | Vishal Mishra | 3:50 |
| Total length: | 12:42 | ||||
Release
Theatrical
The film was theatrically released on 25 April 2025.[13]
Home media
The film's digital streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video.[14] The film began streaming on the platform from 20 June 2025.[15]
Reception
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated 2.5/5 stars and said that "Emraan Hashmi does a good job of playing a BSF officer on the hunt for dreaded terrorist Ghazi Baba. He tones down the dialoguing and makes it sound conversational. But tighter would have been better."[16] Dhaval Roy of The Times of India gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and writes that "Ground Zero does not rely on high-octane theatrics but packs in ample thrills, making it an engaging and impactful watch."[17] Mayur Sanap of Rediff.com gave 2 stars out of 5 and observed that "Ground Zero is a respectful biopic but a story like this needed more heart to make an actual impact".[18]
Shilajit Mitra of The Hindu write in his review that "‘Ground Zero’ wants to tackle thorny questions about security in Kashmir, while also playing by the book of the Hindi combat film".[19] Hardika Gupta of NDTV gave 3 stars out of 5 and said that "Despite its few shortcomings, it is an incredibly relevant and timely film".[20] Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated 3/5 stars and said that "Overall, Ground Zero is a well-made film that has arrived at the right time. It thankfully steers away from chest-thumping jingoism, and that is a relief."[21]
Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India writes in his review that "As an action thriller, Ground Zero is mostly engaging. The final raid is intense, if a little too Zero Dark Thirty-coded. The film goes out of its way to establish Dubey as a large-hearted maverick."[22] Uday Bhatia of Mint commented that ""‘Ground Zero’ is sober and sympathetic to a degree. But its view of Kashmir is ultimately blinkered and reductive."[23] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare rated 3.5/5 stars and said that "Ground Zero is a gritty portrayal about what it takes to be a BSF personnel stationed in Kashmir. Emraan Hashmi essays the lead role realistically."[24] Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost rated 3/5 stars and writes in his review that "On the whole, Ground Zero deserves to be watched as a tribute to the unsung hero BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey."[25]
References
- ^ "Ground Zero (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 18 April 2025. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero Worldwide Lifetime Box Office: Emraan Hashmi starrer to end poor global run, grossing just Rs 9.25 crore". PINKVILLA. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero Box Office Collection | India | Day Wise". Bollywood Hungama. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi-starrer 'Ground Zero' gets a release date". The Hindu. 24 March 2025. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero Movie Review: Emraan Hashmi shines in this grounded yet gripping real-life BSF saga". The Times of India. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero (2025)". Bollywood Hungama. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero movie review: Emraan Hashmi's well-made thriller drags slightly but pays off well". Hindustan Times. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi wraps up shooting for 'Ground Zero'". The Hindu. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Not 'Don 3', Emraan Hashmi collaborates with Farhan Akhtar for 'Ground Zero'". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero: Emraan Hashmi's film captures Kashmir's raw beauty in remote, unseen locations". Asianet News Network. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero watched by BSF jawans at historic premiere in Srinagar; Emraan Hashmi calls it 'significant milestone'".
- ^ "Ground Zero (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Jio Saavn. 18 April 2025. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Emraan Hashmi's Ground Zero gets release date, new poster unveiled". India Today. 27 March 2025. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Excel Entertainment And Amazon Prime To Collaborate On Don 3, Agni, Ground Zero". Excel Entertainment. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Ground Zero OTT release: Emraan Hashmi-starrer begins streaming on Prime Video". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Shubhra. "Ground Zero movie review: Emraan Hashmi's Kashmir drama strikes a much-needed balance in these fraught times". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Roy, Dhaval. "Ground Zero Movie Review : Emraan Hashmi shines in this grounded yet gripping real-life BSF saga". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Sanap, Mayur. "Ground Zero Review: Doesn't Break Any New Ground". Rediff.com. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Mitra, Shilajit. "'Ground Zero' movie review: Emraan Hashmi paramilitary film is a conflicting watch". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Hardika. "Ground Zero Review: One Of Emraan Hashmi's Most Nuanced Performances Is Competent In Parts". NDTV. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Suri, Rishabh. "Ground Zero movie review: Emraan Hashmi's well-made thriller drags slightly but pays off well". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Desai, Rahul. "'Ground Zero' Movie Review: Emraan Hashmi Leads an Agile Kashmir Thriller". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Bhatia, Uday. "'Ground Zero' review: Film on Kashmir only opens its eyes so much". Mint. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Sharma, Devesh. "Ground Zero Review: Emraan Hashmi Shines in The Lead Role". Filmfare. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Aaglave, Ganesh. "Ground Zero movie review: Emraan Hashmi shines in Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar's gripping & impactful biopic of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey". Firstpost. Retrieved 25 April 2025.