Tejas Vijay Deoskar Shares Experience of Casting Emraan Hashmi In Ground Zero: “It Was a Seamless Process”

Tejas Vijay Deoskar Shares Experience of Casting Emraan Hashmi In Ground Zero: “It Was a Seamless Process”

Discussing the origins of Ground Zero, Tejas revealed that the story is inspired by a real-life operation that had a profound impact on the events in Kashmir.

This is what he shared, “Some stories have the power to change the course of an entire nation. This is one of those stories, one that truly transformed Kashmir. I consider myself fortunate that it hadn’t been widely known, and I felt this was the perfect opportunity not to let it slip away.”

Ground Zero, set between 2001 and 2003, unfolds against a politically and emotionally charged backdrop. Tejas shared that recreating this period came with its own set of challenges.

“The topic itself is quite challenging. It centers on an operation that remains largely unknown. We conducted thorough research to capture the pulse of the region and its unique social structure. Depicting Kashmir authentically from that time demanded great attention to detail and a subtle storytelling approach.”

Tejas admitted that casting Emraan Hashmi in the central role wasn’t the most conventional choice, but he believed it would bring a fresh perspective to the film.

“He’s a brilliant actor, and while he’s created a certain image in his previous roles, there’s so much more to him as an artist. I felt that introducing him into a different genre would offer a unique twist. It’s a time for experimentation, and we should trust actors to showcase their range. That’s why I thought he could perform well.”

Tejas had nothing but admiration for Emraan Hashmi’s professionalism and humility. “Working with Emraan was seamless. He’s such a kind-hearted person and a true professional. There were no obstacles—he’s approachable and doesn’t let his superstar status get in the way. This made it easy to collaborate.”

Tejas acknowledges the many technical and creative obstacles faced during the process, but he is confident that the end result will make it all worthwhile. “From the start, we’ve encountered challenges at every turn. But when you finally see the finished product and your team is pleased with the outcome, all the hard work and struggles feel truly rewarding.”

Set to spotlight a lesser-known moment in Indian history, Ground Zero features Emraan Hashmi in the lead, offering a captivating narrative grounded in authenticity and driven by impactful performances.