‘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 narrative.

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 movie opens with a compelling single shot: a lone flower bud in the snow draws the attention of a boy named Shoaib. Normally, such a scene would end with violence, but instead the camera drifts above the valley as Shoaib walks away. Moments later, he vanishes during a local magic show.

Hard-nosed DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) is called to investigate Shoaib’s disappearance. Shoaib is the son of a former MLA, and soon more children from the same school begin to go missing. The investigation reveals a band of militants led by a shadowy figure known only as “Bhaijaan.”

Political and Paranormal Layers

The terrorist group, behind the kidnappings, openly discusses their recruitment drive through sinister farming metaphors. The film names neighbours and outlines the militant chain of command, loosely reflecting the 2016 attack’s aftermath.

"Baramulla opens with a striking single shot: a solitary flower bud in the snow attracts the attention of a child named Shoaib... minutes later, he disappears during a local magic show."

While Ridwaan’s investigation stays firmly in the real world, a supernatural subplot quietly unfolds at his home, adding a layer of eerie ambiguity.

Summary

‘Baramulla’ blends political reality with supernatural elements, crafting a suspenseful story that challenges the audience’s perception of horror and truth.

Author’s Commentary

The film skillfully intertwines real-world conflict and supernatural mystery, keeping viewers unsettled and engaged with its layered storytelling.

The Hollywood Reporter India — 2025-11-07