Baramulla Review: Tulips, Trauma, and Terror Tie This Netflix Film Together
Sad, cold, and haunted, Baramulla reveals Kashmir through a distinctly different lens. The film’s theme can be summarized by three Ts: trauma, terror, and tulips. It suggests that real horror lies in trauma, not ghosts. Inspired by shows like The Haunting of Hill House, this film is set against the backdrop of Kashmir’s turmoil.
Co-written by Aditya Dhar and Aditya Suhas Jambhale and directed by Jambhale, Baramulla explores the militancy issues in the Valley, while portraying the Kashmiri Pandit community's struggle to escape the shadows of their haunted past.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes, the film balances the line between reality, psychology, and supernatural elements. However, the plot at times becomes somewhat tangled, especially near the climax where information overload creates a rushed feeling.
Plot Summary
DSP Ridwan Shafi Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul) is transferred from Reasi to Baramulla to investigate the disappearance of six schoolboys in the snow-covered Valley. He suspects militants are using children for anti-India propaganda and abducting them to send to terrorist training camps across the border. The city has also seen a rise in stone pelting incidents.
Ridwan struggles with PTSD and has brought his family with him: his wife Gulnaar, teenage daughter Noorie, and playful son Ayaan. The city feels cold and unwelcoming, reflecting their dysfunctional family dynamics.
“Trauma is the real horror that people should be scared of and not ghosts.”
Themes and Atmosphere
- Kashmir’s militant conflict and its impact on society
- Psychological trauma and its haunting effects
- Family struggles amid political unrest
- Supernatural undertones blended with real-world horror
Baramulla offers a somber meditation on the scars left by violence, blending suspense and emotion in a chilling narrative.
Author's summary: Baramulla is a haunting portrayal of Kashmir’s conflict, weaving trauma, terror, and family struggle into a gripping but occasionally convoluted thriller.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?