Srinagar, April 19, 2025 – In a powerful tribute to courage and sacrifice, the Border Security Force (BSF) in Kashmir hosted a landmark premiere of the film Ground Zero in Srinagar, the first cinematic screening of its kind in the region in nearly four decades. The event, graced by **Retired DIG BSF Shri Narendra Nath Dhar DubSrinagar, April 19, 2025 – In a powerful tribute to courage and sacrifice, the Border Security Force (BSF) in Kashmir hosted a landmark premiere of the film Ground Zero in Srinagar, the first cinematic screening of its kind in the region in nearly four decades. The event, graced by Retired DIG BSF Shri Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, the real-life hero who inspired the film, brought together BSF officers, subordinate officers, troops, and their families to celebrate the indomitable spirit of the force. The screening was a proud moment, honoring the bravery and dedication of BSF personnel who serve as India’s First Line of Defence.
Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi as BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, vividly recreates a historic counter-terrorism operation in Kashmir in 2001, considered the BSF’s most significant mission in five decades. The operation led to the elimination of Ghazi Baba, the notorious Jaish-e-Mohammed chief responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar and produced by Excel Entertainment’s Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the film captures the intensity of the mission and the profound sacrifices of BSF soldiers and their families.
The Srinagar premiere on April 18, 2025, was a deeply moving occasion, with Sh. N.N.D. Dubey, a Kirti Chakra recipient, sharing memories of the 2003 operation that neutralized Ghazi Baba in Srinagar. Dubey reflected on the personal losses, including the martyrdom of his colleague Balbir Singh, posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. “This film is a tribute to every jawan who fights for our nation,” Dubey said, praising its authentic portrayal of the BSF’s challenges.
Emraan Hashmi, joined by director Deoskar and producers Akhtar and Sidhwani, attended the event, describing it as a career-defining moment. “Screening Ground Zero among the real heroes of the BSF in Kashmir is an unparalleled honor,” Hashmi said, emphasizing the film’s focus on the quiet patriotism and resilience of soldiers. The narrative, grounded in the turbulent Kashmir in 2001, highlights the BSF’s strategic pursuit of Ghazi Baba, blending intense action with emotional depth, including Sai Tamhankar’s portrayal of Dubey’s wife.
BSF personnel at the premiere lauded the film’s realism, noting its depiction of the harsh realities of serving in Kashmir’s volatile terrain. “It’s like reliving our daily struggles,” one jawan shared, moved by the film’s tribute to BSF families. The event, coming days before the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, underscored the ongoing fight against terrorism, making the film’s message of peace and justice even more poignant.
The Ground Zero premiere was a celebration of the BSF’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation. As the film released nationwide on April 25, 2025, it continues to inspire, spotlighting the unsung heroes who safeguard India’s borders with unmatched valor.
