Baramulla Review: Manav Kaul Leads a Chilling Story of Loss, Faith and the Ghosts of the Past
The film Baramulla begins as a seemingly simple story about a missing child but soon reveals layers of grief, faith, and unspoken horror. Its power lies in how the familiar slowly twists into the unfamiliar, echoing the unrest beneath silence.
The Setting and Opening
In the frozen stillness of Baramulla, a single flower blooms — a quiet metaphor for fragile life amid desolation. The story opens in a small Kashmiri town, where a magician performs before an eager crowd. When a child steps into a box and vanishes, the audience laughs, expecting his return. But this time, the boy, Shoaib Ansari, never reappears.
“One flower blooms in the frozen land of Baramulla. That’s where the story begins, in a setting so calm it almost deceives you.”
The Mystery Deepens
The vanishing triggers a chilling search led by DSP Ridwan Sayyad, portrayed by Manav Kaul. His performance brings weight and restraint, grounding the story even as it spirals through layers of doubt and fear. The case soon envelops Ridwan’s own family, played by Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, and Rohaan Singh, drawing them into an expanding web of suspicion.
Tone and Cinematic Flow
The calmness of the early scenes gradually fractures, revealing unease beneath every frame. Each familiar image turns discordant, each silence heavier. By its end, what began as a thriller transforms into a haunting meditation on loss and belief. The film never allows the viewer to rest, mirroring its characters’ unrelenting turmoil.
Cast and Crew
- Cast: Manav Kaul, Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, Rohaan Shah, Ashwini Koul
- Directed by: Aditya Suhas Jambhale
- Published: Friday, November 7, 2025
Author’s summary: A haunting Kashmir-set mystery where silence, faith, and fear intertwine, Baramulla turns a missing child’s story into a reflection on loss and the ghosts that linger within us.