Post by : Meena Ariff

Netflix’s newest Hindi original, under the direction of Manav Kaul, is more profound than frightening—it delves into themes of loss, belonging, and the scars of a homeland left behind.

“Baramulla” avoids classic jump scares or supernatural frights. Instead, it confronts a more enduring terror: the anguish of separation, the crisis of identity, and the fragmentation of one's homeland. What starts as a thriller unfolds into a heartfelt contemplation on sorrow, displacement, and the haunting remnants of a lost past.

The plot centers on DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul), a determined officer on the trail of a string of enigmatic child disappearances in Baramulla, Kashmir. The only trace left behind is children’s hair, cut like scissors. While the initial threads of the story look procedural, it evolves into a deeper narrative that scrutinizes unhealed historical grievances and the muffled cries of displaced individuals.

The True Horror is Memory

What makes “Baramulla” remarkable is its ability to instill fear not through the supernatural but through the weight of memory. Starting with political and procedural elements, the story intensifies into a personal journey of pain, memory, and catharsis. By its conclusion, the film goes beyond mere crime and punishment to touch upon survival, resignation, and the burden of historical pain.

Haunting Performances

Manav Kaul shines as Ridwaan—a character caught between duty, guilt, and affection, striving to make sense of an increasingly unjust environment. His connection with his teenage daughter is both subtle and profoundly relatable.

Bhasha Sumbli shines as Ridwaan’s wife, encapsulating a mix of silence and tension. She portrays the heavy silence of unshed tears and the challenge of keeping a fractured family intact.

An Impactful Climax

The film’s strength culminates in its climax. Here, the horror is not constructed but rooted in history. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the early 1990s is captured not as a dramatized event but as a soulful reflection. Baramulla embraces tragedy without embellishment, offering a poignant conclusion that honors lost families and forgotten narratives.

While the film’s initial pacing may stumble, with early attempts at “scares” feeling superfluous, its true strength lies in the stillness and emotional gravity it eventually cultivates. Once it finds its rhythm, Baramulla holds onto the audience’s attention firmly.

Netflix showcases one of its finest Hindi originals in years. Thoughtful, moving, and sincere, Baramulla reminds us that true storytelling can resonate deeply without relying on conventional horror tropes.

#Global News #Entertainment News