Farhan Akhtar Hosts Historic Film Screening For BSF And CISF In Srinagar After 38 Years
First red carpet event in Kashmir since 1987 marks new chapter in Bollywood-Kashmir relationship.
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Bollywood multihyphenate Farhan Akhtar has made history by hosting the first red carpet film event in Srinagar in nearly four decades. The actor-director-producer organized a special screening of his upcoming film ‘Ground Zero’ for Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers and jawans in Kashmir’s capital city.
Historic Return To Kashmir
Taking to Instagram, Akhtar shared images from the momentous occasion, revealing that this was the first such film event in Srinagar after a 38-year hiatus. The screening took place ahead of the film’s nationwide release scheduled for April 25.
“Honoured to host a screening for BSF & CISF officers and jawans In Srinagar. This was the first red carpet film event in the city after 38 years and was celebrated with the hope that this will be the start of a new era in Bollywood’s love affair with Kashmir,” Akhtar wrote in his post.
The photos shared by Akhtar show him at the event alongside men in uniform, suggesting a well-attended screening that brought together the film industry and security forces in a rare cultural exchange. The event appears to have been organized with significant coordination between various security and administrative agencies.
The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it potentially marks the beginning of renewed film industry activity in Kashmir after decades of limited engagement due to security concerns.
Akhtar specifically thanked Jammu & Kashmir police, BSF forces, Arhan Bagati, and various administrative officials who facilitated both the filming in Kashmir and the screening event. This suggests parts of ‘Ground Zero’ were shot on location in Kashmir, further strengthening the film’s connection to the region.
About ‘Ground Zero’
‘Ground Zero’ appears to be a military-themed film focusing on bravery and sacrifice. Earlier this month, Akhtar had shared the film’s teaser on Instagram with the tagline “Bravery, sacrifice, and a mission that changed everything” along with the hashtag #AbPrahaarHoga (Now is the time to strike).
The film stars Emraan Hashmi and Sai Tamhankar in lead roles. Based on Akhtar’s recent promotional posts, the movie appears to focus on security forces dealing with insurgency, with the storyline described as “A faceless enemy, a fearless officer. The hunt begins.”
The trailer, released earlier this month, hints at a tense action thriller centered around security operations. The film is produced by Excel Entertainment, which Akhtar co-founded with Ritesh Sidhwani, along with Dreamz Kraft Entertainment and Talisman Films.
Farhan’s Cinematic Journey
Farhan Akhtar, son of lyricist Javed Akhtar and screenwriter Honey Irani, has established himself as one of the most versatile figures in Indian cinema. Beginning his directorial career with the groundbreaking ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ (2001), he has since directed films like ‘Don’ (2006) and ‘Don 2’ (2011), while also building an impressive acting career with performances in ‘Rock On!!’ (2008), ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011), and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (2013).
As a producer, Akhtar has backed numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films through Excel Entertainment. His recent production ventures include ‘120 Bahadur’, a tribute to the heroes of the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, specifically honoring Major Shaitan Singh and the Ahir community’s contribution to the war effort.
Beyond his film work, Akhtar has been active on social media, recently paying tribute to veteran actor Manoj Kumar who passed away and boxing legend George Foreman. He’s also known for his social initiatives, including MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination), which he founded to raise awareness about gender equality and violence against women.
The screening in Srinagar represents an important milestone in Kashmir’s cultural landscape and potentially signals increased film production activities in the region going forward. With ‘Ground Zero’ releasing this Friday, April 25, the film’s connection to Kashmir adds an additional layer of significance to its release.
Akhtar’s effort to bring cinema back to Kashmir through this special screening demonstrates the film industry’s desire to reconnect with the region often called “paradise on earth” for its stunning landscapes that once served as popular Bollywood shooting locations.
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