Baramulla is a bold and unsettling Hindi-language supernatural horror thriller that dares to tread into emotionally and politically sensitive terrain. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced under Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the film released on Netflix on 7 November 2025.
Featuring powerful performances by Manav Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli, Baramulla stands out not just as a horror film, but as a deeply layered narrative about trauma, radicalisation, faith, guilt, and redemption.
Story Overview: Horror Rooted in Reality
Set in the picturesque yet politically volatile town of Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, the film opens with the mysterious disappearance of a young boy, Shoaib, during a magician’s performance. The investigation is taken over by DSP Ridwaan Shafi Sayyed (Manav Kaul), a police officer recently transferred from Reasi. He moves into an old, isolated villa with his wife Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli) and children, Ayaan and Noorie—unaware that the house is steeped in unresolved pain and history.
The narrative smartly intertwines two timelines:
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The present, where children are disappearing under strange, supernatural circumstances
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The past, marked by militancy, betrayal, and the brutal massacre of a Kashmiri Pandit family
As Ridwaan digs deeper, the film gradually reveals that the disappearances are not merely criminal acts but are connected to unseen forces trying to protect children from being radicalised and destroyed by extremism.
Performances: Manav Kaul Anchors the Film
Manav Kaul delivers one of his most restrained and emotionally complex performances as DSP Ridwaan. His portrayal of a father haunted by guilt—especially after accidentally killing a child during a terrorist encounter—is deeply affecting. His internal conflict, skepticism toward the supernatural, and gradual acceptance are portrayed with remarkable subtlety.
Bhasha Sumbli is equally impressive as Gulnaar, whose character becomes the emotional and spiritual bridge between the living and the dead. Her transformation in the latter half of the film, particularly during the possession and revelation sequences, is chilling yet graceful.
The child actors, especially those playing Ayaan and Noorie, deserve special mention for conveying fear, confusion, and emotional vulnerability without melodrama.
Horror with Meaning: Supernatural as Social Commentary
What sets Baramulla apart from routine horror thrillers is its purpose-driven supernatural element. The spirits in the film are not evil; they are guardians—victims of past violence who now intervene to save innocent children from ideological poisoning.
The revelation of the Sapru family’s massacre is the emotional and thematic core of the film. The spirits’ motivation—to protect children “from the poison filled in their brain and heart”—is both haunting and deeply symbolic. The horror here is not just in apparitions and possessions, but in human cruelty, betrayal, and historical amnesia.
Cinematography and Atmosphere
Visually, Baramulla is stunning. The cinematography captures Kashmir’s natural beauty while maintaining an ominous undertone. Snow-covered landscapes, dimly lit interiors, and long, silent corridors of the villa enhance the film’s eerie mood.
The sound design deserves applause—subtle background noises, whispers, and silences are used more effectively than loud jump scares. The background score complements the narrative without overpowering it.
Weaknesses: An Overcrowded Screenplay
Despite its ambition, Baramulla is not without flaws. The screenplay occasionally feels overloaded, trying to balance supernatural horror, political commentary, emotional family drama, and investigative thriller elements all at once. Some subplots—particularly involving militant networks—could have been more tightly written.
The pacing in the first half may test patience, and viewers looking for straightforward horror may find the layered storytelling demanding.
Themes That Linger
At its heart, Baramulla is a film about:
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The long shadows of unresolved violence
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Children as the most vulnerable victims of ideology
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The idea that justice can transcend death
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Coexistence, memory, and healing
The final dedication to the Kashmiri Pandit community adds emotional weight and reinforces the film’s intent to remember and acknowledge historical suffering.
Final Verdict
Baramulla is not an easy watch—but it is a meaningful one. It challenges the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths while using the supernatural genre as a lens rather than a crutch. With strong performances, evocative visuals, and a courageous premise, the film earns its place among the more thought-provoking Indian horror thrillers in recent years.
For viewers who appreciate cinema that blends atmosphere with substance, Baramulla is worth your time.
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