Emraan Hashmi’s much-anticipated film Ground Zero hit theatres on Friday, April 25, 2025, but failed to make a strong impact at the box office. Despite an extensive promotional campaign and the buzz surrounding the actor's portrayal of a BSF officer, the film could only manage to earn Rs 1 crore on its opening day, according to a report by Sacnilk.
The Day 1 collection is underwhelming considering the expectations and the patriotic theme, which usually draws in audiences.
Ground Zero recorded an overall 8.63 per cent Hindi occupancy across India on Friday, indicating low footfalls throughout the day.
One of the major reasons for the film’s weak start is stiff competition from Akshay Kumar’s court room drama Kesari: Chapter 2. Additionally, the re-release of the cult classic Andaz Apna Apna starring Salman Khan and Aamir Khan also attracted considerable audience attention, further denting Ground Zero’s prospects.
The film failed to beat Kesari 2 as the Akshay Kumar, Ananya Panday and R Madhavan-starrer had earned Rs 7.75 crore on the first day of its release (April 18).
Ground Zero has received mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike. Emraan's performance has stood out, with many appreciating his earnest portrayal of a soldier caught in a volatile conflict zone. However, strong individual performances alone haven’t been enough to pull crowds to theatres.
With the weekend ahead, it remains to be seen if Ground Zero can pick up momentum through positive word-of-mouth, or if it will continue to struggle in the face of tough box office competition.
Set in early 2000s Kashmir, Ground Zero is inspired by real events and tells the story of a crucial BSF-led mission against terrorism. Emraan plays BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who spearheads the operation to neutralise terrorist mastermind Ghazi Baba. Sai Tamhankar portrays the role of his wife.
The film is said to be the first-ever cinematic tribute dedicated solely to the BSF.
