Ground Zero throws in some emotionally-charged, if occasionally cringey, lines like “Let’s get the bastard” and “Kashmir hamara hai” — clearly aimed at tapping into the viewer's patriotic nerve
Emraan Hashmi's plays Narendra Dubey in Ground Zero
Ab prahar hoga! That’s the collective cry echoing within Indian hearts after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. At a time when emotions are running high, watching a film about an Indian army officer hits differently. Walking into Ground Zero, there was an immediate adrenaline rush, moist eyes, and goosebumps. There was an immediate silence every time a soldier died.
Plot & Premise
Ground Zero, directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, is based on true events. It follows the story of Narendra Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), another unsung hero in our patriotic archives, who managed to track down and eliminate Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Ghazi Baba (Rockey Raina) — the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament Attack, among others.
Screenplay & Dialogue
Dubey is portrayed as a daring officer who doesn’t back down, with the belief, “Aaj risk nahi lenge to kal risky ho jayega.” This approach brings its own set of roadblocks, but it’s also what leads him to one of the most dangerous terrorists on Indian soil.
The film throws in some emotionally-charged dialogues like “Let’s get the b***ard” and “Kashmir hamara hai” — clearly aimed at tapping into the viewer's patriotic nerve. But surprisingly, the movie avoids dramatic twists or excessive jingoism. It’s rare to see a patriotic film grounded in realism, and Ground Zero deserves credit for that.
Performances
This wasn’t Emraan Hashmi’s first brush with a patriotic theme. He previously worked in Bard of Blood, a Shah Rukh Khan production, where it was a similar character. Props to Emraan for keeping it subtle and not raising his decibels for every dialogue. Sai Tamhankar, who plays Emraan’s wife, only stands out when she confronts the media for asking uncomfortable questions after an attack.
Among the supporting cast, Zoya Hussain does a decent job. But the real disappointment came from seasoned actor Mukesh Tiwari, who went overboard with his role as the stern commander.
Music
Tracks like Fateh, So Lene De, and Pehli Dafa blend into the film’s narrative well, but it's doubtful they’ll stick with audiences after the credits roll.
The Verdict
The real-world horror of Pahalgam had already triggered deep anger, which intensified while watching Ground Zero. But keeping those emotions aside, it does not surpass classics like Border, LOC, Uri, and Shershaah. However, if you're looking for a solid, no-nonsense patriotic film, Ground Zero is worth your time.
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