Ground Zero Movie Review
A Gripping Tribute to a Real-Life Hero
Rating: ★★★½
Emraan Hashmi brings honesty and intensity to a story rooted in the bravery of an overlooked hero, making Ground Zero a compelling watch that puts patriotism front and center.
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, Mukesh Tiwari, Rockey Raina, Rahul Vohra
Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 134 minutes
Streaming: Theatrical release
The Story That Deserves to Be Told
Ground Zero tells the story of Narendra Dube (played by Emraan Hashmi), a Border Security Force officer who played a pivotal role in eliminating Ghazi Baba, a top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander believed to be behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.
Dube is not just fighting terrorism—he’s also battling bureaucracy, misinformed youth, and internal resistance within the system. He’s portrayed as a dedicated officer with an unwavering sense of duty, often putting the nation’s interests ahead of his personal safety.
Script & Screenplay: A Story Told with Grit and Grace
Written by Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava, the screenplay is refreshingly direct. There’s no unnecessary glamorization—just a tight, engaging narrative. Dube’s commitment to rehabilitating brainwashed Kashmiri youth adds emotional depth, especially his bond with a young local, Hussain (Mir Mehrooz), who becomes instrumental in his mission.
The pacing keeps the tension intact without over-dramatizing the events. A few moments might seem too coincidental (like the school photo clue), but even if dramatized, they serve the story well.
Performances: Emraan Hashmi’s Quiet Brilliance
Emraan Hashmi sheds his usual romantic or thriller-hero image to fully embody the role of Dube with calm strength. His performance is nuanced—less showy, more heartfelt.
Sai Tamhankar, though underutilized, leaves a mark in her scenes as Dube’s wife. Mir Mehrooz is a standout as the conflicted youth who eventually sides with Dube. Zoya Hussain and Deepak Parmesh also deliver notable performances, while Mukesh Tiwari, usually dependable, appears slightly exaggerated in his role as Commander Sharma.
Direction and Music: Balanced and Purposeful
Director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, known for Marathi films, brings clarity and emotional weight to Ground Zero. He handles the sensitive Kashmir backdrop with maturity, making the beauty and the danger of the region equally palpable.
The soundtrack, with songs like Fateh and So Lene De, supports the mood without overpowering the narrative. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics in Pehli Dafa particularly resonate.
Final Verdict:
Watch It for the Patriotism, Stay for the Storytelling
Ground Zero adds to a growing list of films highlighting real-life heroes who rarely make headlines. It’s not about larger-than-life stunts—it’s about courage, restraint, and unwavering belief in the nation.
This is a film that respects its subject and treats its audience with intelligence. In the current global context and ongoing border tensions, it feels all the more relevant.
Verdict: Absolutely worth a watch. Jai Hind.
