The film was theatrically released on 25 April 2025.[4]
Plot
Set in the early 2000s, Ground Zero follows BSFSecond in Command (2IC) Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey (Emraan Hashmi), who is tasked with dismantling a growing terror network in Kashmir. The film begins with the emergence of the "pistol gang," a group of radicalized college students responsible for targeted killings of security personnel in Srinagar. As Dubey investigates, he uncovers links to a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Rana Tahir Nadeem, alias Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.[5]
Despite setbacks, including a failed joint operation with the Intelligence Bureau, Dubey persists with the help of a local informant, Husain (Mir Mehrooz). His relentless pursuit leads to a high-stakes encounter with Ghazi Baba, culminating in one of India's most significant counter-terrorism successes.[6]
The film delves into the psychological and emotional toll on Dubey, portraying his internal conflicts and the personal sacrifices made in the line of duty. It also highlights the broader challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism while navigating complex socio-political landscapes.[7]
The film was theatrically released on 25 April 2025.[13]
Home media
The film's digital streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video.[14] The film began streaming on the platform from 20 June 2025.[15]
Reception
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated 2.5/5 stars and said that "Emraan Hashmi does a good job of playing a BSF officer on the hunt for dreaded terrorist Ghazi Baba. He tones down the dialoguing and makes it sound conversational. But tighter would have been better."[16] Dhaval Roy of The Times of India gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and writes that "Ground Zero does not rely on high-octane theatrics but packs in ample thrills, making it an engaging and impactful watch."[17] Mayur Sanap of Rediff.com gave 2 stars out of 5 and observed that "Ground Zero is a respectful biopic but a story like this needed more heart to make an actual impact".[18]
Shilajit Mitra of The Hindu write in his review that "‘Ground Zero’ wants to tackle thorny questions about security in Kashmir, while also playing by the book of the Hindi combat film".[19] Hardika Gupta of NDTV gave 3 stars out of 5 and said that "Despite its few shortcomings, it is an incredibly relevant and timely film".[20] Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated 3/5 stars and said that "Overall, Ground Zero is a well-made film that has arrived at the right time. It thankfully steers away from chest-thumping jingoism, and that is a relief."[21]
Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India writes in his review that "As an action thriller, Ground Zero is mostly engaging. The final raid is intense, if a little too Zero Dark Thirty-coded. The film goes out of its way to establish Dubey as a large-hearted maverick."[22] Uday Bhatia of Mint commented that ""‘Ground Zero’ is sober and sympathetic to a degree. But its view of Kashmir is ultimately blinkered and reductive."[23] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare rated 3.5/5 stars and said that "Ground Zero is a gritty portrayal about what it takes to be a BSF personnel stationed in Kashmir. Emraan Hashmi essays the lead role realistically."[24] Ganesh Aaglave of Firstpost rated 3/5 stars and writes in his review that "On the whole, Ground Zero deserves to be watched as a tribute to the unsung hero BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey."[25]
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