‘It felt like coming home’: Tejas Vijay Deoskar on filming Ground Zero in Kashmir

Filmmaker Tejas Vijay Deoskar shared that while shooting his upcoming action thriller Ground Zero in Kashmir, he focused more on improving the film rather than being weighed down by challenges typically associated with the region. The film also had its red-carpet premiere recently in Srinagar, making it the first major Bollywood film screening in the city in over three decades.

“We never thought about the challenges. Instead, our focus was on how to make the film better in a place like Kashmir. Now that the movie is set to release, we are satisfied with the work we have done and what we are presenting to the audience,” Deoskar said, noting that Kashmir has transformed significantly over the years.

“Kashmir has changed on the ground — the way society perceives things has evolved. While shooting, we never felt like we were in a place that has long been in the news for conflict,” Deoskar further added.

The 41-year-old director said the experience of shooting in the Valley was overwhelmingly positive. “We enjoyed filming in Kashmir, especially in terms of locations. The hospitality was amazing, while the local administration and police were incredibly supportive throughout the shoot,” he said.

Based on a real-life hero

Ground Zero, slated for release on April 25, 2025, is based on the real-life story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dubey. Dubey led a pivotal operation in 2003 that resulted in the killing of terrorist mastermind Ghazi Baba. The film stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, alongside Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, and Mukesh Tiwari.

Inspiration behind the film

Deoskar was inspired by the story of Dubey, an unsung hero whose actions had a significant impact on national security. He felt a strong urge to bring such lesser-known stories to light.

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“When I heard about Dubey, I felt this was a man who had done so much for our country, yet hardly anyone knew about him. The encounter he was part of had a massive impact, and I knew this was a story that needed to be told. I consider myself fortunate that no one had picked this subject before,” he said.

Casting Emraan Hashmi

Deoskar chose Emraan Hashmi to portray Dubey, praising the actor’s versatility and professionalism.

“Emraan brought a fresh perspective to the role, breaking away from industry stereotypes. He is a brilliant actor and very approachable. Despite his stardom, he was always ready to collaborate,” Deoskar said.

Deoskar described the premiere as a heartfelt gesture to the people of Kashmir. “Since we shot the film in the Valley, I felt that it belonged to the people of Kashmir and the BSF jawans stationed there. That is why I held the first premiere in Srinagar. It felt like returning home — I had a wonderful time there,” he said.