KKN Gurugram Desk | After a gap of nearly two years following his appearances in Selfiee and Tiger 3, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has made a solid comeback with his latest release, Ground Zero.
Fans and critics alike were eagerly waiting to see Hashmi back on the big screen, and he hasn’t disappointed with his performance.

Ground Zero is being praised for Emraan Hashmi’s powerful acting and gripping storyline.
Now, with its Day 2 box office collection figures out, it’s clear that the film has gained momentum over the weekend.

Ground Zero Box Office Performance: Day 1 vs Day 2

• Opening Day (Friday):
  Ground Zero opened with a modest collection, reflecting cautious optimism among audiences.

• Second Day (Saturday):
  The film saw a significant jump on Saturday, showcasing strong word-of-mouth publicity and positive audience reactions.

According to industry estimates:

• Day 1 Collection: ₹5.30 crore (approx.)

• Day 2 Collection: ₹8.25 crore (approx.)

This represents a growth of nearly 55% from Day 1 to Day 2 — an impressive jump, especially considering the tough competition at the box office.

Weekend Box Office Trend: A Positive Turnaround for Ground Zero

Saturday’s robust performance has set the stage for Ground Zero to post even stronger numbers on Sunday.
If the current momentum holds, the film is likely to close its first weekend at around ₹22–23 crore in domestic collections.

Such growth indicates that Ground Zero has struck a chord with audiences who are craving intense, content-driven cinema amidst the flurry of big-budget action releases.

Strong Competition: Sunny Deol and Akshay Kumar Also in the Race

Emraan Hashmi’s Ground Zero is facing stiff competition at the box office from two major Bollywood stars:

• Sunny Deol (with an action thriller)

• Akshay Kumar (with a commercial entertainer)

Despite these big names dominating the headlines, Ground Zero has managed to carve out its own audience base, particularly among urban multiplex viewers and fans of intense drama.

This makes Ground Zero’s Saturday growth even more commendable.

Critical Reception: What Are Audiences and Critics Saying?

Ground Zero has received largely positive reviews from both critics and moviegoers:

• Emraan Hashmi’s Performance:
  Hashmi’s portrayal of a layered, emotionally torn character has been lauded as one of his career-best performances.

• Storyline and Direction:
  The movie, which deals with patriotism, sacrifice, and personal conflict, has been praised for its tight screenplay and powerful direction.

• Music and Background Score:
  The background music complements the intense narrative and enhances key scenes without overwhelming the story.

Overall, word-of-mouth is working in favor of Ground Zero, which bodes well for its extended run at the box office.

Ground Zero: A Story of Sacrifice and Duty

Ground Zero revolves around the life of an army officer grappling with personal loss, duty towards the nation, and internal conflict.
The narrative is set against the backdrop of real-world challenges faced by soldiers in conflict zones.

Hashmi’s character is shown confronting dilemmas that are both personal and professional, making the story resonate emotionally with viewers.

This emotional depth has likely contributed to the film’s growing popularity among audiences looking for meaningful cinema.

Emraan Hashmi’s Career: A Resilient Star Re-Emerges

Emraan Hashmi, often referred to as the “serial kisser” of Bollywood in the 2000s, has long moved beyond his earlier image.
With films like:

• Shanghai (2012)

• Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015)

• The Body (2019)

he showcased his ability to handle complex, intense roles.

Ground Zero marks another important step in Emraan Hashmi’s evolution — from a commercial entertainer to a nuanced performer appreciated for depth and gravitas.

Social Media Buzz: Fans Celebrate Hashmi’s Return

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram:

• Hashtags like #GroundZero, #EmraanHashmi, and #GroundZeroMovie trended through Saturday night.

• Fans praised Hashmi’s “power-packed return” and called Ground Zero his “best performance in years.”

• Many posts compared his grounded, restrained acting style favorably to larger-than-life portrayals dominating other action films currently in theatres.

This organic buzz has amplified the film’s reach among the digital-savvy younger audience.

Box Office Outlook: Can Ground Zero Maintain Momentum?

The real test for Ground Zero begins after Sunday:

• Monday Hold:
  If Ground Zero can retain at least 60–65% of its Sunday earnings on Monday, it will officially be declared a sleeper hit.

• Word-of-Mouth Factor:
  With positive reviews and growing buzz, it is likely to enjoy a stable run, especially in urban multiplexes.

• Next Week Competition:
  With no major releases lined up immediately, Ground Zero has a window of opportunity to strengthen its box office performance.

Thus, the coming week will be crucial in determining whether Ground Zero can achieve superhit status.

Ground Zero vs Other Emraan Hashmi Hits: Where Does It Stand?

Comparing Ground Zero’s opening weekend to some of Emraan’s past successes:

Thus, Ground Zero is poised to be one of Hashmi’s stronger solo performances at the box office in recent years.

With a strong second-day collection, positive critical response, and emotional storyline,
Ground Zero has all the ingredients for sustained success.
Emraan Hashmi’s transformation as a serious performer and the audience’s growing appetite for realistic cinema seem to be the driving forces behind the film’s rising fortunes.

If the current trend continues, Ground Zero could well emerge as one of the surprise box office successes of 2025.