Ground Zero (2025) Hindi movie review: Emraan Hashmi stars in this intense action thriller based on a real-life BSF operation. Read the full spoiler-free review covering plot, cast, direction, and box office performance.
Ground Zero (2025) Movie Review: Emraan Hashmi Leads a Gritty Thriller Based on a Real Operation
Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain
Production: Excel Entertainment, Talisman Films, Dreamzkrraft Entertainment
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Language: Hindi
Genre: Action Thriller
Running Time: 134 minutes
Introduction
Ground Zero (2025) is a patriotic action thriller rooted in real events, chronicling one of India’s most important anti-terrorist operations — the mission that took down Ghazi Baba, a top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, and starring Emraan Hashmi in a restrained yet powerful role, the film blends intense action with nationalistic fervor and emotional resonance.
With support from Excel Entertainment (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani), Ground Zero aims to honor the sacrifices of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel while delivering a compelling cinematic experience.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Set against the politically tense backdrop of Kashmir in the early 2000s, the film follows Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), a BSF officer with roots in the valley, tasked with leading a covert operation to neutralize one of India’s most wanted terrorists — Rana Tahir Nadeem, aka Ghazi Baba.
As Dubey navigates hostile terrain, political red tape, and the emotional trauma of returning to his conflict-torn homeland, Ground Zero paints a portrait of internal and external warfare — against terror, betrayal, and self-doubt.
Performances
Emraan Hashmi as Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey
Emraan Hashmi delivers one of the most mature performances of his career. Gone are the swagger and charm of his earlier roles — here, he is composed, vulnerable, and introspective. His portrayal of a man torn between duty and personal history gives the film emotional depth.
The Kashmiri accent and demeanor are handled with subtlety, never sliding into caricature. Hashmi’s internal conflict and determination are most effective in the quieter, contemplative scenes.
Sai Tamhankar
Sai Tamhankar plays Dubey’s wife — a Kashmiri Pandit living in exile — with grace and strength. Though her screen time is limited, her performance provides a human anchor to the high-stakes mission, representing the personal costs of conflict.
Zoya Hussain
Zoya Hussain, portraying a local informant with ambiguous loyalties, adds mystery and tension. Her character’s arc brings out the gray areas in the narrative, showing how complex and layered the Kashmir issue remains.
Direction & Writing
Director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar treats the subject matter with seriousness and respect. The screenplay (written by Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava) balances action with emotional and political commentary, avoiding jingoism.
Scenes depicting the BSF’s daily challenges, from infiltration attempts to intelligence-gathering in civilian areas, are handled with gritty realism. The writing doesn’t shy away from portraying the blurred lines between friend and foe in a conflict zone.
However, the pacing falters slightly in the middle act, where too much emphasis is placed on Dubey’s backstory and less on the mission’s urgency. Fortunately, the final 30 minutes deliver a gripping, well-choreographed payoff.
Cinematography & Sound
Kamaljeet Negi’s cinematography is a standout. The snow-laden, misty terrain of Kashmir is captured with stark beauty and menace, making the setting feel like a character in itself.
The background score by John Stewart Eduri is effective, especially during the film’s tense action sequences. The song compositions by Tanishk Bagchi, Rohan-Rohan, and Sunny Inder are minimal, fitting the serious tone of the narrative.
Themes Explored
- Nationalism vs. Humanity: The film carefully navigates patriotism without reducing its characters to clichés.
- Identity & Belonging: Dubey’s connection to Kashmir adds personal stakes to his mission.
- Sacrifice & Service: The film honors the role of BSF and intelligence personnel often left in the shadows of history.
What Works Well
- Emraan Hashmi’s restrained, grounded performance
- Authentic portrayal of military operations and intelligence work
- Atmospheric visuals and sound design
- Thoughtful handling of Kashmir’s complexity
- Emotional undertones that don’t overwhelm the action
What Could Have Been Better
- Slow pacing in parts of the second act
- Some supporting characters are underdeveloped
- A more detailed depiction of Ghazi Baba would have added gravitas to the antagonist
Box Office & Reception
Despite its strong performances and compelling subject, Ground Zero underperformed at the box office, grossing around ₹10 crore against a ₹50 crore budget. However, the film has gained praise from critics for its realistic tone, nationalistic sensitivity, and Emraan Hashmi’s performance, and may find a larger audience on streaming platforms.
Verdict
Ground Zero is a gritty, grounded action drama that does justice to a real-life military hero. With Emraan Hashmi shedding his typical screen persona for a more nuanced role, the film succeeds in telling a story that blends patriotism with human emotion. While not perfect, it’s a respectable addition to India’s list of war and intelligence thrillers.
Best Movie Review(BMR) Rating: 7.5/10