Baramulla Review: Tulips, Trauma, And Terror Tie This Netflix Film Together

Baramulla portrays Kashmir in a starkly different light—sad, cold, and haunted. These three Ts—trauma, terror, and tulips—capture the essence of this Netflix film. The real horror, the story suggests, is trauma rather than ghosts, drawing a parallel to the style of The Haunting of Hill House.

Plot and Themes

Co-written by Aditya Dhar and Aditya Suhas Jambhale, and directed by Jambhale, the film explores militancy issues in the Kashmir Valley. It also attempts to address the difficult past of the Kashmiri Pandit community, caught in the shadows of their haunted history.

With a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes, Baramulla treads a fine line between reality, psychology, and the supernatural. This sometimes creates complexity, especially near the climax where a rush of information overwhelms the viewer.

Main Characters and Storyline

DSP Ridwan Shafi Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul) is transferred from Reasi to Baramulla to investigate the disappearance of six schoolboys in the snowy valley. Ridwan suspects militants are indoctrinating the children with anti-India propaganda and abducting them for terrorist training across the border. The frequency of stone-pelting incidents in the city is also increasing.

Ridwan, who struggles with PTSD, is not alone in Baramulla. His wife Gulnaar, teenage daughter Noorie, and playful son Ayaan join him in a city that offers little warmth or welcome. The family is portrayed as dysfunctional, reflecting broader tensions and fears.

"Trauma is the real horror that people should be scared of and not ghosts."

"Baramulla walks the tightrope between what is real, what is psychological, and what is supernatural."

Author’s Summary

Baramulla is a haunting blend of psychological thriller and social commentary, revealing Kashmir’s scars through trauma, family struggles, and the shadow of militancy.

NDTV — 2025-11-07