After collaborating on the Diwali 2023 release, Tiger 3, the audiences will get to see Salman Khan and Emraan Hashmi together at the price of one ticket again this Eid. Before one thinks of another collaboration, the teaser of Emraan Hashmi’s next film will screen with Salman Khan’s Sikandar all across the national chains from March 31.
According to sources close to the development, Excel Entertainment has tied up with the multiplexes of India to screen the teaser of their next, Ground Zero, with Sikandar.
A source shares, “Sikandar is the next big offing from the Hindi Film Industry, which is expected to be consumed by a wide section of audience owing to the presence of Salman Khan. The team at Excel is looking to capitalize on this opportunity by sampling the teaser of Ground Zero to a wide section of audience. While the digital launch will take place by mid-next week, the teaser hits the big screen on Sunday with Sikandar.”
The source further added that the film will hit the big screen on April 25, 2025. “The film will see a solo release on April 25, 2025. It’s an action thriller, featuring Emraan Hashmi as a Deputy Commandant in the BSF (Border Security Force) leading a two year long investigation. Ground Zero is said to be inspired by an untold battle that no one saw coming, with a blend of action, emotion and patriotism,” the source adds.
We hear that Excel is going ahead with a well-planned marketing campaign, as the teaser launch will be followed by a hard-hitting trailer and some songs, leading to the release on April 25, 2025. The film is directed by Tejas Deoskar.
Will Ground Zero End Disaster Streak Of Emraan At Box Office
Emraan Hashmi was once Bollywood’s ultimate “Serial Kisser,” reigning over the box office with his bold roles and daring on-screen presence. From 2004 to 2011, he had the audience wrapped around his finger. Hits like Murder (2004), Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010), and Murder 2 (2011) made him a star, with his irresistible charm driving these films to success.
But the magic didn’t last. The star who once had the masses swooning over his intense performances is now struggling to stay relevant. What went wrong for the man who seemed unstoppable during his golden years?
The downfall began in 2011, right after the success of Murder 2. His next films started flopping hard. Tum Mile (2009) was forgettable, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011) was a snore fest, and even Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010)—a massive hit—saw his performance overshadowed by Ajay Devgn’s dominating presence.
Things worsened in 2012. While Jannat 2 managed to find an audience, it didn’t recreate the magic of his earlier films. Shanghai was a critical darling, but its box office numbers were disappointing. Emraan was trying to step into serious roles, but the audience wasn’t ready to see him outside his comfort zone.
The Great Fall Of Emraan Hashmi
Post-2012, Emraan’s career went into freefall. Films like Raja Natwarlal (2014), Mr. X (2015), and Azhar(2016) couldn’t save his sinking career. Even his ambitious Netflix series Bard of Blood (2019), produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, didn’t create the buzz it aimed for.
In recent years, his attempts to stage a comeback have fallen flat. Dharma Productions’ Selfiee (2023), alongside Akshay Kumar, didn’t impress, and his villainous turn in Tiger 3 (2023) failed to generate any excitement. It seems like Bollywood audiences have moved on, leaving behind the star they once couldn’t get enough of.
What Went Wrong?
The biggest issue? Emraan couldn’t adapt. His “bad-boy lover” image, which worked wonders in the mid-2000s, became stale as audience preferences shifted. While contemporaries like Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh reinvented themselves with versatile roles, Emraan stuck to outdated formulas. His reliance on steamy thrillers and morally grey characters eventually wore thin, and the scripts he chose only worsened his situation.
Adding to his woes was the rise of younger, fresher faces who could offer more range and excitement. Bollywood’s new wave left little room for an actor who seemed stuck in a bygone era.
Is a Comeback Possible?
While Bollywood loves a good redemption story, Emraan’s road to recovery looks steep. His recent performances haven’t shown the spark needed for a resurgence. His loyal fanbase remains, but in an industry driven by constant reinvention, that might not be enough.
Emraan Hashmi, once the poster boy for bold, boundary-pushing cinema, now feels like a relic of the past.
(Also read: Emraan Hashmi Has THIS Shocking Reaction To ‘Aashiq Banaya’ Co-Star Tanushree Dutta Calling Their Chemistry ‘Brotherly’ )
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