Emraan Hashmi’s latest action-thriller Ground Zero hit theatres on Friday, but unfortunately, the film had a slow start at the box office. Directed by Tejas Deoskar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under the Excel Entertainment banner, Ground Zero managed to earn just ₹1 crore on its opening day, as per early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com. Despite the film’s intense plot and Emraan’s sincere performance, the response at the ticket counters remained underwhelming.
According to early trade reports, Ground Zero recorded an overall 8.63% occupancy on Friday across India, indicating a lukewarm reception from the audience. This makes it Emraan Hashmi’s second-lowest opening in recent years. His 2021 film Chehre, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, had earned only ₹50 lakh on day one. In contrast, his recent big-budget film Tiger 3 (2023) had a massive opening at ₹44.5 crore nett in India, while Selfiee with Akshay Kumar collected ₹2.55 crore on its first day.
Emraan Hashmi in Ground Zero
In Ground Zero, Emraan Hashmi plays BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, a courageous man tasked with a highly sensitive mission. The film chronicles his journey to track down the mastermind behind the 2001 terrorist attacks on the Indian Parliament and Akshardham Temple. Emraan portrays a layered and emotionally charged character, and his performance has been praised for its authenticity. He convincingly embodies the stoic, duty-bound persona of a BSF officer, even though in certain high-voltage scenes, his restrained style feels slightly lacking in aggression and passion.
Sai Tamhankar stars opposite Emraan, playing his wife with great sincerity. Her role adds emotional weight to the narrative, showcasing the personal sacrifices made by families of security personnel. Zoya Hussain appears as an intelligence official who supports Emraan’s character during the operation. Mukesh Tiwari, known for his comic roles in the past, steps into a serious character this time and does justice to his part.
A Story Set Against Real Events
One of the strengths of Ground Zero lies in its rooted, real-world setting. The film steers clear of loud jingoism and instead focuses on the human cost of conflict and duty. Tejas Deoskar’s direction ensures that the story remains engaging and sincere. Although the film slightly drags in parts, particularly in the second half, it eventually pays off well, delivering a thoughtful and emotional climax.
The movie made history by having its red-carpet premiere in Srinagar, marking the first such event in the city in 38 years. This choice resonated with the film’s subject, considering its Kashmir-based narrative. The cinematography captures the scenic beauty of the region while highlighting the harsh realities faced by those serving in conflict zones.
Box Office Struggle Despite Positive Word of Mouth
Despite the decent reviews, Ground Zero failed to convert positive critical reception into strong box office numbers on opening day. Several factors could have contributed to this performance. For one, the film lacks the commercial trappings — like high-energy dance numbers or over-the-top action sequences — that often drive first-day crowds for Bollywood releases. Secondly, with multiple films releasing around the same time and the IPL season also capturing audience attention, competition at the theatres remains stiff.
Industry insiders point out that films based on real-life events or slow-burn thrillers tend to have a slower build-up in collections, relying heavily on positive word of mouth over the first weekend. If Ground Zero continues to receive appreciation from those who have watched it, it might see a steady pickup over Saturday and Sunday.
Emraan Hashmi's Career Trajectory
Emraan Hashmi has built an interesting career balancing between mainstream commercial hits and offbeat, content-driven projects. While he initially rose to fame with romantic thrillers and crime dramas like Murder, Gangster, and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, recent years have seen him take up more experimental roles. Whether it was the horror flick Raaz Reboot, the political thriller Why Cheat India, or his intense portrayal in Tiger 3, Emraan has shown a willingness to step out of his comfort zone.
Ground Zero is another example of Emraan choosing a story with emotional depth rather than focusing purely on mass entertainment. His fans appreciate his versatility, though some critics argue that the lack of consistent big-budget releases may have impacted his box office pull in recent years.
Ground Zero is a well-made film that deserves attention for its storytelling, strong performances, and sincere approach to a sensitive subject. While its box office numbers on day one are disappointing, the film has the potential to grow through positive word of mouth if audiences give it a chance over the weekend.
The action-thriller format, the Kashmir backdrop, and Emraan Hashmi’s grounded performance offer something fresh for those tired of formulaic Bollywood actioners. It remains to be seen whether Ground Zero will manage to overcome its slow start and carve out a respectable total at the box office.
As it stands, Ground Zero joins the list of good films that may not have had a roaring start but could still find their audience in the coming days.