Excel Entertainment’s upcoming action thriller Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, is poised to achieve a significant milestone as it becomes the first film in nearly four decades to host a red-carpet premiere in Srinagar, Kashmir. The premiere is scheduled for April 18, ahead of the film’s nationwide release on April 25, 2025.The decision to hold the premiere in Srinagar carries deep symbolic significance. This special screening is dedicated to the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed in the region. The filmmakers believe that showcasing the film first to those on the frontlines aligns perfectly with the film’s patriotic themes.
Directed by Tejas Deoskar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under the Excel Entertainment banner, Ground Zero features Emraan Hashmi in a pivotal role alongside an impressive ensemble cast. Inspired by true events, Hashmi portrays BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who led the mission to eliminate Ghazi Baba, a senior commander of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. This operation is recognized as one of the most significant BSF missions in the past 50 years.Filmed entirely in Kashmir, Ground Zero offers an authentic representation of the region’s terrain and military activities. The film aims to highlight a lesser-known yet crucial chapter in recent Indian history—the operation against Ghazi Baba, who was allegedly involved in planning the Indian Parliament attack on December 13, 2001.
Endorsed by the BSF, the film’s trailer has garnered considerable attention, receiving positive feedback for its tone and subject matter. Following the trailer’s release, a series of posters have heightened anticipation for the film’s debut.The red-carpet premiere in Srinagar is not merely a promotional event; it is a tribute to the region where the story is set and filmed. This occasion marks a rare moment for Bollywood, as it breaks a 38-year hiatus since any film premiered in Kashmir.Co-produced by Kassim Jagmagia, Vishal Ramchandani, Sundeep C. Sidhwani, Arhan Bagati, Talisman Films, Abhishek Kumar, and Nishikant Roy, Ground Zero is set to release in cinemas across India on April 25, 2025.
