Emraan Hashmi’s unpersuasive persona in an otherwise stretched movie

RATING – ⭐⭐ 2/5*

Ground Zero Review Movie Talkies:

Emraan Hashmi steps into uncharted territory with Ground Zero, venturing into a role that seeks to redefine his cinematic persona. However, his portrayal of a BSF officer lands with a thud rather than a bang. From the outset, his presence feels miscast, undermining a film that is already weighed down by its overwrought storytelling. What unfolds is a movie that drags its feet through conventional dramatic tropes, courtesy of director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar’s penchant for stretching moments that lack any real emotional payoff. Watching it only heightens your appreciation for taut, grounded war dramas like Zero Dark Thirty, a reminder of Bollywood’s struggle to shed its over-dramatized, patriotic sheen. Unlike Hollywood’s gritty realism, Indian war films—whether it’s Uri, Shershaah, or Amaram—are often drenched in sentiment and overused templates. Ground Zero sadly falls into this same trap, becoming a victim of formulaic storytelling and déjà vu.

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Ground Zero Story:

Set in the ever-sensitive terrain of Kashmir, the narrative centers on BSF officer Narendra Dubey (Hashmi), who is haunted by the loss of 70 soldiers in terrorist attacks. Post the Parliament assault, Dubey embarks on a manhunt for the elusive Ghazi, the brains behind the carnage. Yet, Ghazi remains perpetually ahead. The plot thickens with the Akshardham temple tragedy, leading to Dubey’s suspension after the death of one of his informants. Despite this, Dubey takes charge during the Prime Minister’s visit to Kashmir and finally corners Ghazi. But bureaucratic red tape raises the question: will he be allowed to strike?

In its attempt to echo the emotional highs and narrative turns of a classic military thriller, Ground Zero stumbles repeatedly. The screenplay rehashes the same tropes: sudden deaths, predictable blame games, skeptical superiors, and a paint-by-numbers climax. While clichés aren’t inherently damning, the film’s lack of conviction is. There’s a notable absence of ingenuity in the writing. By intermission, the film’s trajectory becomes painfully predictable. One particularly baffling moment—a child’s photograph pinned on a wall—undermines the villain’s supposed strategic prowess, revealing a screenplay that’s neither sharp nor sophisticated.

Ground Zero Cast:

Hashmi’s sincerity is evident, but sincerity alone can’t mask a misfit. The gravitas, demeanor, and charisma expected from a military officer are glaringly absent. Sai Tamhankar, despite limited screen time, delivers a compelling moment as she defends her husband and the institution he represents. Lalit Prabhakar, miscast in a role that clashes with his urbane screen image, adds little, while Zoya Hussain’s uneven role restricts her performance to fleeting impact. Mukesh Tiwari seems reduced to a narrative prop, constantly butting heads with Hashmi’s character without any real consequence. Deepak Parmesh and Rockey Raina are serviceable but ultimately forgettable—like most of the supporting cast. It’s evident the casting process lacked the precision such a subject demands.

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Ground Zero Movie Review:

Visually, Ground Zero doesn’t cut corners. The production value is solid, and Kamaljeet Negi’s cinematography captures the Kashmir backdrop with competent familiarity, though it rarely offers anything we haven’t seen before. Editing by Chandrashekhar Prajapati feels ineffective—unable to tighten a film that clearly overstays its welcome. The music, intended to stir emotions, instead lands flat, sapping key scenes of their intended weight. Director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, who showed thematic promise with Chhatriwali, once again falters at the screenplay level. His grasp on urgent social issues is evident, but execution remains his Achilles’ heel. With Ground Zero, he clings to decade-old formulas, resulting in a film that feels like a half-hearted attempt at cinematic relevance.

Ground Zero isn’t entirely without merit—it has the trappings of a serious film. But in relying so heavily on dated tropes and a lead who doesn’t quite fit the mold, it ends up feeling like a zero-effort production. The ambition is present, but the commitment to craft is sorely lacking.

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