Film Ground Zero Review: A Brilliant Portrayal of a True Incident

✍️ By Shantiswarup Tripathi

• Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 Stars)
• Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
• Banners: Excel Entertainment, Talisman Films, Dreamzcraft Entertainment
• Writers: Sanchit Gupta, Priyadarshee Srivastava
• Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar
• Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, Mukesh Tiwari, Deepak Parmesh, Lalit Prabhakar, Rocky Raina, Rahul Vohra, Abhay Dheeraj Singh, and others
• Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes

✨ Overview

In 2003, a true story unfolded in Kashmir — BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and his team eliminated one of the most dangerous terrorists, Rana Tahir Nadeem, aka Ghazi Baba.

Ground Zero, directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, brings this operation to the big screen. While it's a fictionalized version of real events, what makes Ground Zero special is its focus: instead of loud chest-thumping nationalism, it highlights the emotional, complex lives of security forces battling terror daily in Kashmir.

A single dialogue from Emraan Hashmi’s character leaves a lasting sting:

"Sirf Kashmir hamara hai ya yahan ke log bhi?"
(Is Kashmir only ours, or are its people ours too?)

This haunting line feels more relevant than ever.

🎬 Story

The film follows BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), stationed in terror-struck Srinagar in 2001. Terrorist mastermind Ghazi Baba, head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, orchestrates deadly attacks, leaving 70 BSF soldiers martyred.

The opening scene grabs you immediately — teenage boys are brainwashed into picking up guns, using coded messages to avoid detection.

Amidst this chaos, Dubey — battling not just terrorists but a growing sense of helplessness — leads a team trying to protect innocent lives and the integrity of the valley. His emotional anchor remains his wife (Sai Tamhankar), who supports him through the storm.

However, Dubey faces countless hurdles:

His trusted informer Hussain is killed.

Delhi-based intelligence officers (Rahul Vohra, Zoya Hussain) doubt his methods.

His own superior (Mukesh Tiwari) suspends him, leaving him isolated.

Yet, driven by duty, courage, and instinct, Dubey perseveres. Finally, in a deadly operation on August 30, 2003, he eliminates Ghazi Baba — but not without grave personal cost.

This moment coincides with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace visit to Kashmir, underscoring the real stakes.

🖋️ Review

If you’ve seen YouTube videos about Ghazi Baba’s encounter, the storyline may feel familiar. Yet, Ground Zero succeeds in gripping you, thanks to its detailed screenplay and emotional depth.

A few dialogues could have been sharper, and the pace slows when Delhi’s bureaucrats enter the frame, but director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar keeps the focus tight where it matters most:

The human cost of terrorism.

The tragic manipulation of Kashmiri youth.

The loneliness of soldiers fighting unseen wars.

The depiction of Kashmir is nuanced — not just a battleground, but a place of poverty, dreams, and betrayal. The scene where Dubey asks his wounded colleague, "Are the people ours too?" and receives a soft but firm "Yes", is truly moving.

The action sequences — gunfights, raids, ambushes — are tense, gritty, and well-executed without being over-the-top.

🎭 Performances

Emraan Hashmi delivers one of his most grounded performances, capturing Dubey’s grit, pain, and occasional self-doubt. A few scenes could’ve had more punch, but overall, he impresses.

Sai Tamhankar, in a limited but key role, leaves a heartfelt impact.

Zoya Hussain holds her ground as intelligence officer Adila.

Mir Mehrooj (Hussain) stands out with a deeply emotional portrayal.

Supporting cast — Mukesh Tiwari, Deepak Parmesh, Lalit Prabhakar, and Rahul Vohra — bring authenticity and gravitas to the film.

🎯 Final Verdict

Ground Zero is not just another military thriller. It is a thoughtful, intense, and human portrayal of what soldiers and citizens endure in the shadows of terrorism.

It could have been tighter in parts, but its heart is firmly in the right place. And sometimes, that's more important than a flawless script.

If you're looking for a film that balances action with emotional honesty — and asks questions that matter — Ground Zero is worth your time.

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