Synopsis
Filmmaker Tejas Deoskar unveils the extensive preparation and transformation Emraan Hashmi underwent to portray a soldier in 'Ground Zero.' The film, highlighting Hashmi's evolution as an actor, is set to release alongside another project by Deoskar.Key Takeaways
- Tejas Deoskar reveals Emraan Hashmi's deep immersion for the role.
- Hashmi learned physical aspects of being a BSF soldier.
- He internalized traits from real-life soldier Dubeji.
- Deoskar is proud to release two films on the same day.
- 'Ground Zero' is set in early 2000s Kashmir.
Mumbai, April 16 (NationPress) Filmmaker Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar has disclosed how Emraan Hashmi underwent a remarkable transformation to embody a soldier in his forthcoming film “Ground Zero.”
The director explained that Hashmi did not merely prepare for the role—he fully immersed himself, endeavoring to grasp the mindset, discipline, and emotional depth of a real-life soldier. When questioned about the preparation, Tejas elaborated on how profoundly Emraan Hashmi engaged with the character of a real-life soldier.
The director told IANS, “Emraan truly immersed himself in the character. He mastered how to handle a gun, adopted the stance of a BSF soldier, learned their code of conduct, and how to salute—all the physical aspects. But beyond that, he profoundly understood the psyche of the character. We discussed the nuances extensively. He’s portraying a real-life soldier, Dubeji, who also shared his insights with us. Emraan didn’t mimic him but internalized his traits, crafting a portrayal that felt authentic.”
Addressing the actor’s 'serial kisser' image in the film industry, Deoskar noted, “Whether that image is shattered or not will be revealed on screen. But I can assert that he didn’t just embody the character; he elevated it through his performance. Emraan is an exceptional actor, and Ground Zero highlights that. Regardless of the image he was known for, he’s progressed beyond it and evolved. I had full faith he’d succeed, and he did.”
When asked about the challenge of producing two films—'Ground Zero' and 'Dev Banerjee'—both set to release on the same day, Tejas Deoskar expressed his desire for audiences to view both films.
“Indeed, both films are premiering together, and I wish for audiences to experience them both. Whichever one they watch first, I believe the other will follow due to curiosity. Each film is distinct—in story, language, treatment, and cast—but they both hold a special significance for me. Managing both has been challenging, yet I feel a sense of pride. To my knowledge, I’m the first director to release two films in different languages on the same day, each with its unique narrative.”
On a related note, “Ground Zero” also features Sai Tamhankar and Zoya Hussain. Set in early 2000s Kashmir, Emraan Hashmi portrays BSF officer Narendra Nath Dubey—the man who led the high-stakes operation that took down terrorist mastermind Ghazi Baba. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, ‘Ground Zero’ is set to hit theaters on April 25.
