Baramulla Review: A Gripping Thriller That Falters Under Its Own Weight
The Manav Kaul-starrer Baramulla attempts to blend allegory with a suspenseful storyline, but struggles due to inconsistent plot development. The film unfolds around mysterious disappearances of children in the scenic Kashmir town of Baramulla.
Plot Overview
DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) arrives with his wife Gulnaar and their children, Noorie (Arista Mehta) and Ayaan (Rohaan Singh), to investigate the troubling vanishings. The film opens strongly with a street magician’s eerie act where a boy vanishes inside a box, setting a dark, suspenseful tone.
As the investigation deepens, Ridwaan and his team confront unsettling questions:
- Who is responsible for the kidnappings?
- What secret lies behind the locked room on the second floor of Ridwaan’s old wooden house?
- What hidden betrayals and deceptions haunt this place?
“Secrets, lies, betrayal– all the things that make up a mystery– swim up from the creaky floorboards like smoke-like wraiths.”
Atmosphere and Themes
The film excels in creating a tense and atmospheric setting, immersing viewers in an environment thick with mystery and fear. However, as the story unfolds, the narrative’s heavy-handed approach shifts towards a more accusatory tone.
“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
- Produced by Aditya Dhar
- Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale
Conclusion
Despite its initial promise and captivating mood, Baramulla struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative and balance its allegorical elements, resulting in a gripping yet uneven thriller.
Author's summary: Baramulla captivates with its eerie atmosphere and potent themes but falters due to inconsistent plotting and a heavy-handed narrative approach.