Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi graced the red carpet premiere of his upcoming film ‘Ground Zero’ at Shivpora PVR in Srinagar. The event marked a historic moment as it was the first red carpet movie screening featuring Hashmi in the city, symbolising the ongoing revival of cinema and film shooting in the Valley.
Expressing his joy at being back, Hashmi said that, “I am very happy to be back in Srinagar. We shot for ‘Ground Zero’ here for about 30 days, and the weather is fabulous, much better than Mumbai.” His enthusiasm resonated with the audience, as he emphasized the significance of the premiere for the people of Kashmir. “After years, a red carpet premiere like this has happened here. I request other filmmakers to follow suit and bring their movies to Kashmir,” he said.
The screening attracted filmmakers, actors, and dignitaries who celebrated the occasion’s importance. Hashmi praised the warmth and hospitality of the Kashmiri people, saying, “They are good, respectable, and hospitable. I have always wanted to come here again and again.”
Delving into the film’s narrative, Hashmi shared that “Ground Zero” is deeply connected to the land and its stories. “Yeh yaha ki kahani hai, yaha se judi hui kahani hai (This is a story of this land, a story connected to Kashmir),” he said, highlighting the emotional ties the film has with the Valley.
Moreover, Hashmi recognized the immense creative potential of Kashmiri youth. “The valley has incredible talent. They just need the right opportunities to enter film, television, or other creative fields,” he said, advocating for more platforms for local artists.
‘Ground Zero’, set against the backdrop of the 2001 Parliament attack, follows a BSF officer’s pursuit of the mastermind of that attack, Terrorist Ghazi Baba, culminating in one of India’s largest anti-terror operations. The screening was attended by co-producers Arhan Bagati, Abhishek Kumar, and Nishikant Roy; actors Sai Tamhankar; director Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar; as well as producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.
