I finally watched Ground Zero, the latest Bollywood action-thriller that everyone’s been talking about. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the film hit theatres on April 25, 2025. The star cast includes Emraan Hashmi in the lead as BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and Sai Tamhankar as his wife, Jaya. Ground Zero is based on the true story of Operation Ghazi Baba, one of India’s biggest anti-terror operations after the 2001 Parliament attack. The film promises a blend of patriotism, action, and emotional drama, focusing on the sacrifices of our unsung heroes. Not a lot of people know about this story, so I was excited!
The Plot:
The story opens with a chilling sequence set in August 2001, where young Kashmiri boys are manipulated by terrorists to move from stone-pelting to picking up guns. Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey(Emraan Hashmi’s), is a Border Security Force(BSF) commandant who has to find out the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament attacks. The movie follows Dubey as he leads a two-year-long, high-stakes investigation. His team decodes secret phone calls, chases leads, all while the threat of terrorism looms large. The movie covers real-life events like the Parliament and Akshardham Temple attacks and gives an amazing glimpse into the situation of Kashmir and Delhi during the attacks.
Performances:
Emraan Hashmi is the star of this movie. He plays Dubey with a quiet strength- very convincing. He not only has to fulfill his duties but also deal with a personal loss. Sai Tamhankar, though she has limited screen time, leaves a strong impression. Her character represents the silent struggles of army wives. Other actors such as Rockey Raina as Ghazi Baba and Zoya Hussain as an intelligence officer are equally good. I loved Ghazi Baba’s character. It is menacing and raw, just what the film needed.
Standout Elements:
The first thing that stands out in Ground Zero is how realistic everything is. There is no unnecessary drama, over-the-top action or loud dialogues. Everything is portrayed the way it happened. Kamaljeet Negi’s camera work is stunning. The haunting beauty of Kashmir is captured alongside its tense, war-torn atmosphere. John Stewart Eduri’s background score, with its raw electric guitar riffs, heightens the tension during action scenes. You will love the songs like “Lahoo” and “So Lene De” on the big screen. Writers Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava deserve credit for not making the film too loud or melodramatic. They show how Kashmiri youth are manipulated into terrorism. The slow pace of the movie creates perfect suspense.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, definitely watch this movie for gripping performances by Emraan Hashmi and Rockey Raina and a realistic storyline. You will not only learn a lot of new things but also love how beautifully the movie is paced. The climax is perfect and there are enough edge of the seat scenes. However mind you, this is not like any typical mass entertainer. It might feel slow but the story develops perfectly at the end. For me, the movie was a powerful reminder of the human stories behind the headlines.