Emraan Hashmi is back on the big screen after two years. After playing the villain in Salman Khan’s ‘Tiger 3’ (2023), the actor is now playing the role of a Border Security Force (BSF) officer in ‘Ground Zero’. This is perhaps one of the few Bollywood films that have been released at the right time. With the entire country angry over the Pahalgam terror attack, Ground Zero is a ‘right time, right place’ film that will force people to repeat history. Based on a real-life incident and shot on the soil of Kashmir, this Emraan Hashmi film will now be loved by the people even more.
Story
The story begins in Srinagar in August 2001, where a Kashmiri terrorist can be seen handing out guns and luring young boys. These poor Kashmiri boys take up guns in their hands, lured by money and the safety of their families. Later, about 70 soldiers are cowardly killed by these gangsters by shooting them in the back of the head, until BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey (Emraan Hashmi) returns to the city after an operation. When Narendra almost catches hold of Ghazi Baba along with an IB officer, he learns that Ghazi was behind the attack on the Delhi Parliament in 2001 and the attack on the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2002.
The film gets even more serious in the second half. However, one thing that does not wane throughout the film is Narendra’s determination and his team’s faith in him. After losing some close ones and being blamed for a terrorist attack, the BSF officer captures the culprit. Despite facing 7 bullets, Narendra completes a very important mission to wipe out the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed and eliminate Ghazi Baba.
Writing and directing
Ground Zero is a tribute to the determination and courage of any soldier posted in Kashmir. Let’s admit, in a place where stones are pelted at army personnel and terrorism is at its peak, the spirit can sometimes wane. But despite this, our soldiers not only fight the war till their last breath, but also remain unknown or rejected in our history books. But like a few films, Ground Zero also tells people about the role of an unsung hero, who deserves every kind of recognition from our side. The film follows a series of events, which are very well put in sequence. Both the Kashmiri accent and location have been used beautifully in the film. Apart from this, it keeps you hooked till the end.
But the problem is the dialogues! Patriotic films need to have spine-chilling dialogues and songs that will bring tears to your eyes. But Ground Zero fails to do both. There is only one dialogue in the film that will make a difference. ‘Pehredari bahut ho gayi ab prahar hoga’, this is the only well-timed line in the film. Apart from this, this is probably the first Emraan Hashmi film that does not have a song that you will remember after you step out of the theatre. Apart from this, there are some breaks in ‘Ground Zero’ which could have been avoided.
Acting
Ground Zero is a film that does not have any actors who are unsuitable for the role. Be it small or big, each actor has done their job well, and the entire team is led by Emraan Hashmi, who, as always, is perfectly cast in the character. It is indeed a relief to see a Bollywood actor breaking barriers and playing different roles. Typecast as a ‘kisser man’ with ‘Tiger 3’, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, and now ‘Ground Zero’, Emraan is doing everything that a cinephile expects from him. The actor is a natural in the film and is well supported by Zoya Hussain. However, Emraan’s on-screen wife, Sai Tamhankar, is unimpressive. There is no onscreen chemistry between the onscreen husband and wife, and parents of 3 children.
Decision
Ground Zero is overall a good film with many ups and downs. The film brings forth the Kashmiri perspective which is much needed in the current scenario and will also provide solace to the genuinely burnt hearts at this time. With an authentic portrayal and good direction, this film deserves 3 stars out of 5.