Mumbai: As actor Emraan Hashmi gears up for the release of his upcoming film ‘Ground Zero’, he took a moment to spotlight the fresh talent in Bollywood, reserving special praise for Ranbir Kapoor. In a recent conversation with IANS, Hashmi called Ranbir “one of the finest actors of this generation”, particularly applauding his intense performance in the 2023 action-thriller ‘Animal’.

“I won’t comment much on social media trolling, it’s an echo chamber full of noise. It shouldn’t be taken seriously. But Ranbir Kapoor is one actor I really admire. I liked his performance in Animal. There are many young actors doing great work and bringing fresh perspectives to the screen,” Hashmi shared.

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Ranbir’s role in Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, saw him as Rannvijay Singh, a man consumed by vengeance following an attempt on his father’s life. The film also featured Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, and Anil Kapoor in key roles.

Meanwhile, Emraan Hashmi is set to portray BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey in Ground Zero, a film based on a real-life operation regarded as one of the most successful in BSF history: the elimination of terrorist Ghazi Baba.

Opening up about the demanding nature of the role, Hashmi spoke about the physical and emotional prep that went into it. “When you’re playing a commanding officer, posture and demeanour become crucial. I had to undergo physical transformation, weight training, dietary changes, increased calorie intake to embody the role.”

He further explained the emotional and psychological depth required for the part, adding, “I spoke to real BSF officers to understand the mental toll of operations, their family lives, and the burden they carry. As actors, we haven’t lived those situations, so we rely on imagination and draw from intense personal experiences to connect with the role.”

Directed by Tejas Deoskar, Ground Zero is slated for release on April 25, 2025, and promises to showcase a gripping tale of patriotism, sacrifice, and courage, anchored by Hashmi’s most transformative role yet.

IANS inputs