Ground Zero: Hatemongering comes so naturally to Bollywood that it can’t make an antiwar movie even when it tries; Emraan Hashmi’s film is proof

Bollywood has always struggled with the idea of peace when it comes to war narratives. Films that claim to be “anti-war” often end up glorifying patriotism to the point of warmongering. Ground Zero is just the latest example of this contradiction.

What Ground Zero Tries to Say

Starring Emraan Hashmi as BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhir Dubey, the film follows his mental trauma and moral dilemmas while stationed in Kashmir. It attempts to tackle issues of identity, religion, duty, and personal loss.

There’s a clear attempt to humanize both sides—especially with a Muslim child at the emotional center of the plot. Yet the storytelling ultimately drifts into familiar territory: nationalism overrides nuance.

Why the Message Falls Flat

Despite its softer moments, the script never fully breaks away from jingoistic tropes. For a film that hints at being anti-war, it fails to ask the hard questions:

• What causes war?
• Who profits from conflict?
• How does propaganda shape public opinion?

Instead, it reduces the conflict to a “patriotic challenge,” framing the enemy as faceless terrorists rather than contextual individuals.

Social Media & Critical Reception

Critics are divided:

• NDTV praised the attempt but called it “tonally inconsistent.”
• ABP Live said it “lacked emotional grip.”
• India Times pointed out the slow pacing and vague positioning.

On social media, reactions ranged from “refreshingly different” to “just another uniformed hero movie.” The audience seems confused about whether it’s a war film, a PTSD drama, or a nationalist message piece.

Can Bollywood Ever Make a Real Anti-War Movie?

To truly be anti-war, a film must highlight the futility of violence, question authority, and show the emotional toll on all sides—not just the “hero.” Unfortunately, Bollywood is still trapped in a patriotic echo chamber. Until it can shift from chest-thumping to empathy, genuine anti-war cinema may remain out of reach.