‘Baramulla’ Movie Review: Horror Lies In The Eyes of the Beholder
Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s film merges partisan politics with supernatural horror, creating a complex and unsettling atmosphere.
Release Information
- Release date: Friday, November 7
- Cast: Manav Kaul, Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, Vikas Shukla, Mir Sarwar, Neelofar Hamid
- Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale
- Screenwriters: Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Aditya Dhar, Monal Thaakar
Plot Overview
The film opens with a memorable single shot: a lone flower bud in the snow catches the eye of a child called Shoaib. This kind of imagery often hints at violence, yet the scene softly shifts as the camera floats over the valley while Shoaib walks away. Shortly after, Shoaib vanishes during a local magic show.
Hard-nosed DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul) arrives to investigate the disappearance. Shoaib is the son of a former MLA, and more children from the same school also go missing. Ridwaan’s investigation reveals a group of militants, led by a shadowy figure called “Bhaijaan,” who are behind the kidnappings.
The film doesn’t hide its reality: the terrorists openly discuss their recruitment using sinister farming metaphors. Local individuals are implicated, and the chain of command is exposed. Ridwaan and his team chase the militants in a narrative loosely inspired by the aftermath of the 2016 attack.
Supernatural Elements
Alongside the grounded investigation, a paranormal storyline unfolds within Ridwaan’s home, blending reality with eerie mysticism.
“Baramulla” is sneaky, scary, and worryingly persuasive.
Author’s summary: The film skillfully intertwines political realities with supernatural horror, crafting a story that challenges perceptions of fear and truth.