Excel Entertainment’s Ground Zero is breaking new ground by hosting Srinagar’s first red-carpet premiere in 38 years on April 18, a Bollywood first.
Devoted to Indian Army and BSF troops, the screening ties in with the patriotic theme of the film on BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey’s actual operation to eliminate the 2001 Parliament attack mastermind, Ghazi Baba.
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However, the interesting fact is the film was initially offered to Salman Khan. The star, however, rejected the proposal to pursue other projects like Sikandar and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.
As much as the latter received a lukewarm reception, Ground Zero has indicated that it will provide a more expansive narrative and some emotional depth. The recently unleashed trailer has evoked praise because it simply depicts wartime courage and sacrifices, further boosting expectations.
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Despite the favourable reaction to the trailer, there are still concerns about its box-office performance. With top star Emraan Hashmi—a decent but not necessarily guaranteed box office bet—the film’s fate will rest upon word-of-mouth and audience acceptability.
But its dedication to reality—being shot entirely in Kashmir and backed by the BSF—could find favour with audiences.
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Here’s hoping that Ground Zero finally gets its just deserts and proves that there can be space for content film in the age of commerce-led blockbusters.
