Emraan Hashmi’s Ground Zero Shot in Hidden Corners of Kashmir, Says Tejas Deoskar

Excel Entertainment’s much-awaited film Ground Zero is creating quite a buzz. The trailer is already trending, featuring Emraan Hashmi in a strong and intense role as BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey. The film is inspired by real incidents that took place between 2001 and 2003, during one of the most successful BSF operations in the past 50 years.

Director Tejas Deoskar, known for his unique storytelling, recently shared his personal experience of shooting in Kashmir. He called it a life-changing experience. “Shooting itself is a very demanding task, and shooting in Kashmir has its own unique charm,” Tejas said. “I say ‘charm’ because, despite the challenges, there’s an opportunity to go to places a common man cannot—thanks to the permissions we received and the incredible support from the LG’s administration.”

He added that this film became possible because of the strong support they got on-ground. “We could access locations we believed would add value to the film, and we had the backing of local authorities and the community. A big thanks to the co-producer of the film, Arhan Bagati, who was instrumental in making many things happen on ground—his support alongside the administration helped us immensely,” he shared.

Tejas also spoke about the emotional contrast they tried to capture through visuals. “Kashmir, as a location, is breathtaking—it’s beautiful, yet earthy and raw. The story demanded we capture both these sides. Since it’s set between 2001 and 2003, a period when Kashmir was in a very different state, with terrorism at its peak, the contrast was stark.”

He explained how difficult yet rewarding it was to shoot in such areas. “We had to explore locations that weren’t even accessible to tourists, places that are largely unknown. And we were fortunate to reach them,” he said.

Over 26 days, the team saw the real Kashmir—its people, landscapes, and stories. “Often, you view a region like this only through the lens of the media, but being on the ground offers a very different, more truthful perspective,” Tejas said. “It was a surreal experience. I’d love to go back and shoot more stories based in Kashmir.” Ground Zero will hit theatres on April 25, 2025.