Baramulla Review: Horrifying Tale of Kashmiri Pandits Meets Cinematic Horror
Baramulla is a horror thriller directed by Aditya Jambhale, featuring Manav Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli in lead roles. This review explores how the film blends historical tragedy with supernatural horror elements.
Plot Overview
The story follows Rizwan (Manav Kaul), a Muslim police officer who relocates to Baramulla with his wife Gulnar (Bhasha Sumbli) and their two young children. After settling in, strange incidents begin to unfold: the daughter detects a mysterious scent, while the son encounters what appears to be a ghost. Concurrently, mysterious kidnappings terrorize the town, with children being abducted and forced into militancy.
Rizwan’s world shatters when his daughter is kidnapped and transformed into a militant. Meanwhile, his wife is haunted by frightening visions, turning their once peaceful life into a living nightmare.
Thematic Elements and Critique
The film attempts to blend the tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits with supernatural horror. The title बर्मूल appears in Hindi at the start, initially puzzling the viewer.
“A topic as sensitive as this one deserves more depth and realism.”
If you enjoy horror and can overlook some logical inconsistencies for entertainment, Baramulla offers a decent experience. However, those seeking serious, thought-provoking cinema might find it lacking.
Visual Symbolism
The opening scene shows a strange white flower, which becomes an unsettling motif throughout the film.
Summary
Baramulla merges a painful historical narrative with horror, but its slow pace and superficial treatment may not satisfy all viewers.
Author’s summary: Baramulla struggles to balance historical tragedy with supernatural horror, delivering a slow-paced film that entertains horror fans but lacks depth for serious viewers.