Question

during free fall is it necessary that initial velocity must be zero

Answer 1

Unlike other answers, what i understand from the term, freely falling body, is that when there is no effect of a non-zero initial velocity on the body while getting pulled under gravity alone.

So to have no effect on free falling, the initial velocity should be always in the opposite direction of gravitational pull, i.e. vertically upwards from the earth’s surface.

And YES, it is possible. All the stones/balls thrown upwards in our childhood have initial velocity of vertical projectiles and eventually landed on the surface or on someone’s head (Lolz)

Answer 2

yes, if you hit a target from plane below ground then it has non zero velocity

And it is a freely falling.