‘Baramulla’ Movie Review: Horror Lies In The Eyes of the Beholder
Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s film combines partisan politics with supernatural horror, creating a complex narrative that is both sneaky and frightening.
Release Details
- 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 haunting single shot of a flower bud in the snow catching the attention of a child named Shoaib. This image often precedes violence in such settings, yet here the camera drifts above the valley as the moment fades, and Shoaib walks away. Soon after, he mysteriously vanishes during a local magic show.
DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul), a tough investigator, is called to the town to solve the case. Shoaib is the son of a former MLA, increasing the urgency. The detective’s investigation initially follows a straightforward path: multiple children have disappeared from the same school, and the film reveals a militant group behind these kidnappings.
Militant Threat and Paranormal Elements
The militants, led by a shadowy figure known as “Bhaijaan,” openly discuss their recruitment plans through sinister farming metaphors. The film names local collaborators and exposes the group’s hierarchy. Ridwaan and his team pursue the militants in a storyline loosely based on the aftermath of a 2016 attack.
Alongside the realistic investigation runs a paranormal subplot connected to Ridwaan's home, adding a supernatural layer to the story.
"Sneaky, scary, worryingly persuasive."
Author’s summary: The film’s blend of political tension and haunting supernatural elements builds a suspenseful story where horror depends on perception as much as reality.
Would you like the summary to be more focused on the political or the horror aspects?