Baramulla
बारामूला
A cop's inquiry into child kidnappings unravels chilling secrets as supernatural events endanger his family and the peaceful town of Baramulla.
Review
In the serene, mist-shrouded valleys of Kashmir, 'Baramulla' weaves a chilling tapestry of horror that transcends mere jump scares, anchoring its terror in the profound fear of a community unraveling. Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale crafts a narrative where the supernatural is not an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of deep-seated, communal secrets. The film follows a dedicated cop, portrayed with weary gravitas by Manav Kaul, whose investigation into a series of child kidnappings peels back the layers of his seemingly peaceful town, exposing a haunting truth that threatens his own family. The 120-minute runtime is a slow-burn descent, masterfully using the breathtaking yet isolating Kashmiri landscape as a character itself—its beauty contrasting sharply with the growing dread. While the plot occasionally meanders, the atmosphere remains consistently oppressive. The horror stems less from graphic visuals and more from a pervasive sense of wrongness, the violation of innocence, and the terrifying idea that the past is not just remembered, but vengefully alive. The ensemble cast, including Neelofar Hamid and the compelling young Baby Kiara Khanna, delivers grounded performances that make the supernatural incursions feel all the more real and devastating.
Pros
- ✓Atmospheric mastery: The film's greatest strength is its immersive atmosphere. Jambhale uses the stunning but lonely vistas of Kashmir to create a sense of sublime dread, where the environment itself feels haunted and complicit.
- ✓Performance-driven horror: Manav Kaul delivers a powerfully restrained performance. His portrayal of a cop battling professional duty and paternal terror grounds the supernatural elements, making the emotional stakes feel genuine and urgent.
- ✓Cultural-specific storytelling: The horror is deeply rooted in the local folklore and social fabric of the region, offering a fresh narrative perspective rarely seen in mainstream Indian horror, moving beyond generic haunted house tropes.
- ✓Sound design and score: The audio landscape is a character in itself. Eerie silences are punctuated by unsettling ambient sounds and a score that builds tension through dissonance rather than loud, predictable stings.
Cons
- ✗Pacing inconsistencies: The film's deliberate slow burn occasionally tips into sluggishness, with some middle-act sequences feeling repetitive and delaying the payoff of its more compelling third-act revelations.
- ✗Underdeveloped supporting cast: While the leads are strong, several supporting characters and subplots feel thinly sketched, serving more as plot devices than fully realized people, which slightly dilutes the emotional impact of the communal horror.
- ✗Predictable narrative beats: For seasoned horror fans, some of the plot's turns and the nature of the 'chilling secret' might feel familiar, relying on well-worn tropes of the genre despite its unique setting.
'Baramulla' is a commendable and atmospheric entry into Indian horror that succeeds more as a mood piece than a conventional scare-fest. It is best approached not for relentless terror, but for a slow, creeping dread that settles in your bones. The film's authentic setting and Manav Kaul's compelling central performance elevate it above many genre contemporaries. While its pacing issues and occasional narrative familiarity hold it back from true greatness, it remains a visually stunning and thoughtfully constructed film. It proves that horror can be a powerful lens to examine guilt, history, and community. For viewers seeking a horror experience that prioritizes atmosphere, cultural specificity, and psychological unease over cheap thrills, 'Baramulla' is a journey worth taking. Just be prepared to sit with its quiet, lingering chill long after the credits roll.
🎯 Who Should Watch
Fans of atmospheric, slow-burn horror; viewers interested in Indian cinema exploring genre films within specific regional contexts; audiences who appreciate performance-driven narratives and psychological dread over graphic violence.
⭐ Standout Elements
The film's standout element is its seamless integration of location and lore. The haunting beauty of Kashmir is not just a backdrop but the very source of the film's terror, creating a unique sense of place-based horror. Additionally, Manav Kaul's nuanced portrayal of a man caught between duty and despair provides a solid emotional anchor that makes the supernatural stakes profoundly human.
🎬 Overall Impact
A must-watch film that delivers on both entertainment and emotional depth.
📽️ This film represents strong filmmaking that deserves your attention.
