Netflix’s new release, "Baramulla," attempts to blend crime thriller with the supernatural against the backdrop of the troubled valley of Kashmir, but falls short of its potential despite a commendable performance from Manav Kaul. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Aditya Dhar, the film, which was released on November 7, 2025, revolves around the mysterious disappearances of children in the serene town of Baramulla.
Manav Kaul stars as DSP Ridwaan Shafi Sayyed, a disciplined police officer who relocates to Baramulla with his family. Ridwaan, along with his wife Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli), daughter Noorie (Arista Mehta) and son Ayaan (Rohaan Singh), move into a colonial-era house that soon becomes a source of dread. Eerie happenings, unexplained footsteps, sudden chills, and strange visions plague their new home.
The atmospheric winter backdrop of Kashmir enhances the series' chilling blend of horror and suspense. Kaul himself has expressed his love for Kashmir's winters, noting how the "grey, spooky colour palette" and the atmosphere when it snows add a unique tone to the story. He felt like rediscovering the valley through a new lens.
As local children start disappearing, Ridwaan's investigation takes a dark turn, unraveling secrets buried deep in the valley's folklore. The deeper he digs, the more he's forced to confront the darkness within the valley and within himself. The film attempts to weave mystery, horror, and emotion, using Kashmir not merely as a backdrop but as a character pulsing with secrets. "Baramulla" insets itself into the trend of social horror films that link unexplained phenomena to past trauma, while also borrowing from djinn lore. The film presses a narrative finger hard on an egregious chapter of violence in Kashmir's secessionist struggle.
While Manav Kaul delivers a layered and nuanced performance as DSP Ridhwan, portraying a character with complexity and intrigue, the film itself struggles to maintain suspense and coherence. The storyline, blending elements of crime, supernatural horror, and social commentary, becomes convoluted, and any suspense about the fate of the children dissipates early on. Hints about the spectral figures are scattered around long before their identities are revealed. The behavior of Ridwaan's family members is also odd and inconsistent.
Despite Kaul's best efforts to breathe life into his character, the film's দুর্বল screenplay and direction ultimately undermine his performance. "Baramulla" had the potential to be a gripping thriller, but it fails to fully capitalize on its strengths, resulting in a film that is ultimately unsatisfying.
