Baramulla Movie Review: A Gripping Thriller That Falters
The Manav Kaul-starrer Baramulla attempts to blend allegory with an uneven plot, creating a tense atmosphere but struggling to maintain coherence.
Plot Overview
In the scenic town of Baramulla, young children start disappearing mysteriously. DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) is sent to investigate. He arrives with his wife Gulnaar and children Noorie (Arista Mehta) and Ayaan (Rohaan Singh), only to be thrust into an unfamiliar and unsettling situation.
Atmospheric Beginning
The film opens strongly with a street magician making a child vanish inside a box. This incident triggers a desperate search that leaves Ridwaan and his team facing troubling questions without clear answers:
- Who is behind the kidnappings?
- What is hidden behind the locked room on the second floor of Ridwaan's old wooden house?
Secrets, lies, and betrayal rise from the house’s creaky floorboards like smoky apparitions, creating a compelling mystery.
Developing Conflict and Themes
While the initial setup is captivating, the film gradually exposes a more direct and forceful message. It highlights the tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were targeted by terrorists and compelled to leave their homes.
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.
Production Credits
Baramulla is produced by Aditya Dhar and directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale.
Summary
The film’s rich atmosphere initially draws viewers in, but its uneven storytelling and overt messages lessen its overall impact.
Author’s summary: Baramulla’s intriguing premise and haunting setting are undermined by a fragmented narrative and heavy-handed themes, weakening its thriller potential.