‘Baramulla’ Movie Review: Horror Lies In The Eyes of the Beholder
Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s film combines partisan politics with supernatural horror, creating a layered and unsettling narrative.
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 captivating shot of a solitary flower bud in the snow, which draws the attention of a boy named Shoaib. This scene hints at violence but then shifts as Shoaib disappears during a local magic show. DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) arrives to solve the mystery. Shoaib is the son of a former MLA, adding political weight to the case.
Ridwaan’s investigation stays grounded in reality as more children go missing from the same school. The film introduces a group of militants, under the leadership of a mysterious figure called “Bhaijaan,” who are involved in these kidnappings.
Political and Paranormal Elements
The militants openly discuss their recruitment using sinister agricultural metaphors. The film names local contacts and reveals a clear chain of command, portraying the militants' plans as rooted in real-world threats.
Alongside this political storyline, a paranormal narrative unfolds within Ridwaan’s home, adding a supernatural dimension to the tension.
“Baramulla opens with a striking single shot: a solitary flower bud in the snow attracts the attention of a child named Shoaib. It’s the sort of shot that usually ends with the sound of a bullet and the image of blood splattered across the whiteness.”
“There is no secret here; the terrorists converse in evil farming analogies to reveal their ‘recruitment’ drive.”
The film loosely references the aftermath of the 2016 attack, and pursues the militants in a tense, layered narrative.
Author’s summary: Baramulla skillfully blends political thriller and supernatural horror elements, delivering a narrative that is both eerie and thought-provoking.