Ground Zero, starring Emraan Hashmi, is prepared for its complete OTT debut on Prime Video this week, June 20, 2025. Once more, the movie has brought Kashmir into the public eye. Over the years, the area, with its beautiful scenery and tumultuous past, has played more than just a supporting role in a number of Indian films. Kashmir has been a character in itself for many filmmakers, representing everything from personal change and psychological unrest to military conflict and political upheaval.

Five Bollywood films that depicted Kashmir's strife.

Here are five Hindi movies (accessible on OTTplay Premium) that have delved into the various aspects of Kashmir, each presenting a unique perspective on its splendor, suffering, and intricacy.

The Kashmir Files

The Kashmir Files, a film directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, addressed the 1990 expulsion of Kashmiri Pandits head-on and has been one of the most discussed movies lately. The movie sparked a nationwide debate and received critical praise while also being the subject of extensive discussion.

The narrative, which is based on real-life accounts, unfolds through a profoundly moving and disturbing perspective, anchored by performances from Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Mithun Chakraborty. It became a landmark in Indian cinema's socio-political storytelling because of its unfiltered depiction of historical suffering.

Uri: The Surgical Strike

Uri: The Surgical Strike, a fast-paced military drama based on true events, details India's surgical strikes in response to a terrorist assault on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. The movie, which was directed by Aditya Dhar and starred Vicky Kaushal in a breakout role, popularized the national catchphrase "How's the josh?".

While Uri embraced the style of war movies with stylized action and patriotic fervor, it also portray Kashmir as a charged area of geopolitical unrest, as seen through the perspective of front-line soldiers.

Haider

One of the most highly praised movies to come out of the connection between Hindi cinema and Kashmir is Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider. The movie is a daring rendition of Shakespeare's Hamlet, taking place during the peak of 1990s insurgency.

Haider, which features a fantastic ensemble that includes Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, and Irrfan Khan, delves into the topics of grief, identity, and betrayal. In addition to exposing the psychological and political wounds caused by years of conflict, the movie also depicts Kashmir's hauntingly lovely landscape.

Highway

Imtiaz Ali's Highway makes use of Kashmir as a metaphor for emotional recovery, even if it isn't explicitly political. Far from her tumultuous history, Alia Bhatt's kidnapped and fugitive character Veera discovers comfort in the valley's snow-covered tranquility. The movie, which investigates Stockholm syndrome, concludes with Kashmir and her kidnapper, played by Randeep Hooda, finding comfort together after she has been missing for a few weeks but is also rescued by her loved ones.

In this scenario, Kashmir serves as a blank slate for renewal and tranquility. Veera's landscapes provide her with a sort of emotional clarity and getaway, emphasizing the difference between external serenity and inner unrest. The movie delicately explores how the area's stillness may promote reflection and healing.

Shaurya

Shaurya is a complex military drama that explores religious prejudice, institutional injustice, and moral ambiguity within the military, all set against the backdrop of a court-martial trial in Kashmir. The movie, which features Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Javed Jaffrey, and Minissha Lamba, was helmed by Samar Khan.

The story raises difficult ethical questions instead of siding with one side or the other. Kay Kay Menon's portrayal of a commanding officer with radical beliefs is notable for its intensity and nuance. Kashmir plays a passive role as a spectator and witness to the intricate crossroads of individual beliefs and institutional authority in Shaurya.

Ground Zero: Coming Soon

Ground Zero, which features Emraan Hashmi as a BSF officer stationed in Kashmir, is directed by Tejas Prabhaa Vijay Deoskar. The movie, which was released in theaters earlier this year, shifts its attention to the human toll of residing in a war zone. It examines trauma, duty, and identity from a personal point of view.

Read Also: Bollywood’s Inspiring Dads: How Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Piku’ and Pankaj Tripathi in ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’ Empowered Their Daughters

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