Baramulla review: A gripping thriller that falters under its own weight

Baramulla Review: A Gripping Thriller That Falters

The Manav Kaul-starrer Baramulla attempts to blend allegory with a suspenseful narrative but struggles due to inconsistent plot development. Set in the scenic Kashmir town, the story revolves around the mysterious disappearances of young children.

Plot Overview

DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) is sent to investigate the vanishing children. Upon arriving with his wife Gulnaar and their children Noorie (Arista Mehta) and Ayaan (Rohaan Singh), Ridwaan is quickly drawn into an unfamiliar and unsettling case.

The film opens powerfully with a street magician making a boy vanish inside a box, setting an eerie and suspenseful tone. As the search intensifies, Ridwaan and his team face troubling questions:

Secrets, deception, and betrayal emerge like smoke from the creaky floorboards, creating a haunting atmosphere that initially captivates the audience.

Critical Observations

Despite its promising start, the film reveals its themes with increasing bluntness. It shifts from a thriller to a pointed commentary, particularly on the tragic plight of the Kashmiri Pandits:

"Yes, the way the Kashmiri Pandits were targeted by terrorists, and made to flee their homes, is a wound that the valley and its residents have lived with all these decades."

This accusatory tone detracts from the subtlety of the narrative, making the message feel heavy-handed rather than naturally integrated.

Production Details

The atmospheric setting of Kashmir and the initial suspense work well, but the film's later developments weaken its overall impact.

Author’s Summary: Baramulla builds a promising mystery with strong atmosphere but falters as it combines its allegorical elements with a heavy-handed political message.

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The Indian Express The Indian Express — 2025-11-07

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