‘Baramulla’ movie review: Manav Kaul steers this gripping supernatural thriller with a political subtext

‘Baramulla’ Movie Review: Manav Kaul Leads a Tense Supernatural Thriller

Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale captures the atmosphere, suspense, and emotional weight in this haunting story set in Kashmir. Yet, beneath the mist and mystery, the underlying political tone of the “us vs them” narrative gradually becomes clear.

Unlike most films built around the Kashmir conflict that focus on soldiers, Baramulla explores the world of the local Jammu & Kashmir Police. Jambhale, known for Article 370, centers the story on DSP Ridwaan Sayyid, portrayed by Manav Kaul — a man torn between his sense of duty and the deep mistrust surrounding him.

Assigned to investigate a series of child disappearances in Baramulla, Ridwaan realizes the case is more complex than it appears. The vanishing of children seems connected to rising stone-pelting incidents and growing unrest in the valley.

Adding to the tension, a mysterious, supernatural entity inhabits Ridwaan’s residence — a colonial-era house burdened with a sinister past. As the officer confronts the buried horrors of an old operation, the boundaries between reason and the unknown start to dissolve.

“Carrying the demons of a past operation in his heart, as Ridwaan grapples with the personal and the professional, we are presented with an emotionally resonant tale that lingers.”

Jambhale avoids romanticizing Kashmir. Instead of showing postcard beauty, he focuses on the fractures beneath the snow-covered landscape, revealing how human wounds mirror the land’s own unrest.

Author’s Summary

A visually rich and atmospheric thriller where Manav Kaul’s performance anchors a story that blends politics, grief, and the supernatural beneath Kashmir’s fog.

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The Hindu The Hindu — 2025-11-07

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