Ground Zero REVIEW: Emraan Hashmi Leads The Operation But The Ground Beneath Wobbles In An Uneven Kashmir Thriller

Film:
Ground Zero

Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar

Writer: Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, Abhay Dheeraj Singh, Deepak Parmesh, Lalit Prabhakar, Rockey Raina, and Rahul Vohra

Platform: In theatres

Runtime: 2 hours, 14 minutes

Ground Zero Movie Review

Many films set in conflict-ridden Kashmir manage to beautifully contrast the region’s stunning landscapes with its political and emotional turmoil. Ground Zero, however, misses this opportunity. Set in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, Ground Zero follows BSF officer Narendra Nath Dubey (Emraan Hashmi) on a two-year mission to uncover the mastermind behind the operation — Ghazi Baba.

The story builds toward India’s largest anti-terror strike, drawing inspiration from real events. Given that the plot is based on a real and widely known event, the film doesn’t offer much surprise or dramatic tension. It relies too heavily on factual retelling without adding new layers, twists, or perspectives that could have enriched the viewing experience.

What Works:

Emraan Hashmi gives a solid, restrained performance. He brings gravity to his role, portraying a duty-bound officer with conviction. The premise, based on real-life operations, had strong potential with patriotic and emotional layers. The cinematography manages to capture some of the starkness of Kashmir, if not its full beauty.

What Doesn’t Work:

Films like Haider, Mission Kashmir, or Shershaah found success because of seamless storytelling that blended emotion, politics, and action. Ground Zero lacks that fluidity. The narrative is choppy, shifting gears abruptly, which breaks audience immersion and leaves the emotional beats undercooked. The supporting characters lack depth. None are written well enough to complement Emraan’s performance, which leaves him bearing the entire emotional and narrative load.

The screenplay feels rushed, with several critical moments glossed over. The pacing does not allow viewers to connect with the narrative emotionally. The songs, especially those intended to evoke emotion, fail to land. The storyline is predictable, with little suspense or novelty, given the public’s prior knowledge of the incident. Most importantly, the lack of a compelling antagonist means that, as an audience without a strong villain, the stakes don’t feel high enough.

Also, the characters that are shown as part of top intelligence and law enforcement agencies behave in unconvincing and, at times, absurdly simplistic ways. Their decisions and dialogues feel uninformed, diminishing their credibility and undermining the seriousness of the plot.

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Technical Research:

The direction lacks punch and nuance, especially for a politically and emotionally charged story like this. Critical plot points are introduced and resolved too quickly, giving the audience little time to absorb or connect. Instead of developing the investigation or character arcs in layers, the film jumps from one moment to another, sacrificing buildup and payoff.

The editing feels abrupt in many parts, and the background score is forgettable, failing to elevate tension or emotional moments. This lack of visual storytelling also impacts the emotional connection, especially with the lead and the antagonist, who are never truly established with the depth they deserve.

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Star Performances:

Emraan Hashmi is undoubtedly one of the best actors in the industry. He shines with sincerity and commitment to his character. Sai Tamhankar and Zoya Hussain are wasted in underdeveloped roles, they have great screen time but do not fit in well with the story when it comes to valuable inputs in the plot.

Other supporting actors including Abhay Dheeraj Singh, Deepak Parmesh, Lalit Prabhakar, Rockey Raina, and Rahul Vohra lack screen presence and impact due to poor writing.

Conclusion:

Ground Zero had the potential to be a gripping and emotional war drama, but despite Emraan Hashmi’s compelling performance. The film is let down by weak character development, a rushed script, and a lack of emotional depth. It touches on an important subject, but never quite rises above the surface.

Watch the trailer of Ground Zero here:

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Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.