Ground Zero – Review Summary
| Aspect | Highlights | Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Story & Relevance | Timely and topical, especially given its release following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. It sheds light on the life and struggles of BSF soldiers in Kashmir. | The film lacks emotional depth and character development. It fails to evoke strong empathy for the protagonist. |
| Lead Performance | Emraan Hashmi is praised for his subdued, sincere performance as BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey. | While Hashmi’s effort is commendable, the script doesn’t support his full potential. |
| Direction | Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar crafts some intense, raw scenes and avoids over-the-top jingoism. The film attempts to stay grounded and realistic. | The pacing feels rushed, and the narrative doesn’t fully explore its emotional core. It could have benefited from tighter writing. |
| Patriotism & Message | It joins recent efforts (Sky Force, The Diplomat) in spotlighting unsung heroes and gives a nod to realism over nationalistic bombast. | Despite good intentions, the film often feels like a missed opportunity, unable to fully engage its audience. |
| Technical Aspects | Beautifully captures the Kashmir valley; action scenes are well-executed. | The overall cinematic experience is dampened by inconsistent tone and average production quality. |
Verdict:
Ground Zero is a sincere but uneven war drama. While it avoids excessive patriotism and brings a grounded tone to its story, its emotional and narrative shortcomings prevent it from being truly impactful. Worth watching for Emraan Hashmi and its relevance, but don’t expect a masterpiece.