Emraan Hashmi’s latest movie Ground Zero hit the theatres on Friday but had a slow start at the box office. According to early estimates from Sacnilk.com, the film earned around ₹1 crore on its opening day. Directed by Tejas Deoskar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, Ground Zero didn’t attract a large crowd on day one, recording an occupancy rate of just 8.63% across theatres.
One of Emraan’s Lowest Openings in Recent Years
This is one of Emraan Hashmi’s lowest openings in the last few years. Only his 2021 film Chehre, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, had a slower start, collecting ₹50 lakh on its first day. In comparison, Emraan’s other recent films did much better. His 2023 blockbuster Tiger 3 opened with ₹44.5 crore, and Selfiee, where he starred alongside Akshay Kumar, managed to earn ₹2.55 crore on the first day.
Emraan Hashmi Shines but Lacks Punch in Some Scenes
In Ground Zero, Emraan plays Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, a BSF officer. He puts in a strong performance, showing a range of emotions—he laughs, cries, and fights on screen. However, in scenes that needed more aggression and intensity, he seemed to fall slightly short. Sai Tamhankar, playing his wife, delivers a solid performance, fitting perfectly into her role. Mukesh Tiwari, usually known for comic roles, surprises the audience with a serious character and does a great job. Zoya Hussain, as an intelligence officer, gives good support to Emraan’s character.
The good thing about Ground Zero is that it avoids excessive patriotism and jingoism. Instead, it focuses more realistically on the story, which is refreshing to see in an action-thriller.
What is Ground Zero About?
Ground Zero tells the real-life story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who was involved in tracking down the mastermind behind the 2001 terrorist attacks on the Indian Parliament and the Akshardham Temple. It’s a gripping action-thriller that showcases the challenges and risks faced by security forces during such critical missions.
The film also made history by becoming the first movie in 38 years to have its red-carpet premiere in Srinagar, which is a proud moment for the team.
While Ground Zero might not have made a huge impact at the box office on its first day, it has received praise for its storytelling and performances. Emraan Hashmi’s fans might still find it worth a watch, especially for his heartfelt portrayal of a brave officer. If positive word-of-mouth spreads, the movie could still pick up pace over the weekend.
