Srinagar, April 18, 2025 – In a landmark moment for Indian cinema, the action thriller Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, premiered in Srinagar, marking the first red carpet film screening in Kashmir in 38 years. Dedicated to the Indian Army and Border Security Force , the special screening honoured the armed forces, showcasing their courage and sacrifice in a story rooted in their real-life heroism, ahead of the film’s nationwide release on April 25, 2025.
Directed by Tejas Deoskar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under Excel Entertainment, Ground Zero features Hashmi as BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who led a historic operation against Ghazi Baba, the mastermind of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Filmed entirely in Kashmir, the film captures the region’s rugged terrain and pays tribute to the BSF’s most celebrated mission in the past 50 years. The ensemble cast includes Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, Mukesh Tiwari, and Lalit Prabhakar.
The Srinagar premiere, attended by BSF soldiers and officers as guests of honour, symbolised a cultural milestone for the Valley.
The decision to premiere in Srinagar aligns with the film’s patriotic narrative and reflects improved security and normalcy in the region post-Article 370 revocation. The event, co-produced by Kassim Jagmagia, Vishal Ramchandani, and others, underscores Bollywood’s return to the Valley, fostering hope for tourism and local filmmaking.
Ground Zero’s trailer and posters have already garnered widespread acclaim, setting high expectations for its theatrical release. The Srinagar premiere not only celebrates the armed forces but also signals a new chapter for Kashmir in Indian cinema.
