Baramulla Review: Horrifying Tale of Kashmiri Pandits Meets Cinematic Horror in a Slow Paced Film

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ✨ 2.5/5*

Baramulla Review Movie Talkies:

Baramulla begins with its title appearing in Hindi as “बर्मूल.” Since I had no clue what it meant, I decided not to bother much. But as the film went on, I found myself bothered by something else entirely — a strange white flower shown in the opening scene. What did it symbolize? The film tries to blend the tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits with elements of supernatural horror, but the question is — does it work? Sadly, not entirely. A topic as sensitive as this one deserves more depth and realism. However, if you’re a fan of horror films and are willing to ignore logic for entertainment, Baramulla can be a decent watch. But if you prefer serious, thought-provoking cinema, this might not be for you.

Baramulla Story:

The story revolves around Rizwan (Manav Kaul), a Muslim cop who moves to Baramulla with his wife Gulnar (Bhasha Sumbli) and their two children — a young son and daughter. Soon after their arrival, strange things begin to happen. The daughter senses an odd smell while the son starts seeing what seems like a ghost. At the same time, a series of mysterious kidnappings grip the town — children are being taken and turned into militants. Rizwan’s life is thrown into chaos when his own daughter goes missing and is made a militant. His wife begins to see frightening visions, and the family’s once peaceful life turns into a nightmare. The mystery of the ghost, the missing children, and the underlying horror all connect in a long, drawn-out climax that finally reveals the truth.

The biggest drawback of Baramulla lies in its first half, which moves painfully slow. It’s hard to stay engaged, and you might find yourself checking the progress bar more than once. Thankfully, since it’s an OTT release, you have the luxury of using the fast-forward or 1.5x speed button — and trust me, it will help (I didn't have that option in the theater). The pace thankfully picks up after the interval. The second half is far more gripping, packed with horror, action, and emotional moments. The climax, in particular, stands out for exposing the brutality of militancy and the pain inflicted on Kashmiri Pandits. It finally gives you the intensity and payoff you’ve been waiting for, even though getting there feels like a task.

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The screenplay could have been sharper and more layered. At times, the writing feels rushed and underdeveloped. To be fair, even Hollywood horror films like The Conjuring take their time to build tension before the final scare — but those films are grounded in believable storytelling and are inspired by real events. Baramulla lacks that realism. Its attempt to mix fact with fiction often falls flat. The horror is there, but the emotional core is missing. Still, the makers seem clear about what they wanted — a horror thriller more than a historical drama — and on that front, it somewhat works.

Baramulla Cast:

Manav Kaul delivers yet another honest and convincing performance. He portrays Rizwan’s confusion, pain, and fear with subtlety, even though his character could have been written with more depth. Bhasha Sumbli starts off weak, but she grows into her role and shines in the final act, especially during the emotional and terrifying climax. Arista Mehta, Kiara Khanna and Ashwini Kaul appear natural in their limited roles, while Shahid Latif stands out with his chilling performance. The supporting cast doesn’t get much to do, but they serve their purpose.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its cinematography. Shot on real locations in Kashmir, Baramulla captures the haunting beauty of the valley with breathtaking visuals. The close-up shots and misty landscapes lend authenticity and atmosphere to the story. The art design complements the tone well, and the background score enhances the eerie mood without going overboard. Editing, however, is inconsistent — sluggish in the beginning but much tighter in the latter half. Director Aditya Jambhale deserves credit for attempting something different. Merging the political and religious past of Kashmir with supernatural horror isn’t easy, and while his experiment doesn’t fully succeed, the ambition is visible. Some moments — like the constant religious tunes playing whenever a Hindu household appears, or Rizwan dismissing his wife’s concerns too casually — come off as overly dramatic and even childish. These touches weaken the emotional impact and make the story seem forced at times. Still, Jambhale’s effort to portray an old tragedy through a new cinematic lens deserves some appreciation. His intent is sincere, even if the execution falters at some levels.

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Baramulla Movie Review:

Had the film leaned more into its horror elements and avoided overexplaining the religious divide, it could have been a far more powerful experience. The final twist, though intriguing, feels slightly underwhelming considering the buildup. Yet, the last 30 minutes do leave a lasting impression — intense, emotional, and unsettling. Overall, Baramulla is an average yet watchable film. It’s not perfect, but it has moments that surprise and engage. For those who love horror and don’t mind a slower pace, it might just work. For others seeking realism and depth, it may feel like a missed opportunity. Despite its flaws, Baramulla tries to bring together pain, politics, and paranormal fear in one frame — and for that attempt alone, I'd say watch it if you have an Netflix subscription already.

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