Baramulla Review: Tulips, Trauma, And Terror Tie This Netflix Film Together
Baramulla is a sad, cold, and haunted portrayal of Kashmir, presenting the region in a starkly different way. The film revolves around three central themes: trauma, terror, and the haunting memories of the past.
Unlike typical horror stories, this Netflix film suggests that the real fear lies not in ghosts, but in the trauma experienced by the people. The film, inspired by works like The Haunting of Hill House, is co-written by Aditya Dhar and Aditya Suhas Jambhale and directed by Jambhale. It addresses militancy in the Kashmir Valley and the struggles of the Kashmiri Pandit community, trapped by their haunting past.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes, Baramulla balances reality, psychological tension, and supernatural elements. However, the narrative can become somewhat confusing, especially near the climax where a rush of information overwhelms the viewer.
Plot Overview
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ridwan Shafi Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul) is transferred from Reasi to Baramulla to investigate the disappearance of six schoolboys in the snowy Valley. He suspects militants are indoctrinating children with anti-India propaganda and kidnapping them for terrorist training camps across the border. Stone pelting incidents have also increased in the city.
Ridwan, who suffers from PTSD, has moved to Baramulla with his family: his wife Gulnaar, their teenage daughter Noorie, and their playful son Ayaan. Despite being a family, they deal with dysfunction and struggle to fit into the cold and unwelcoming city.
"Trauma is the real horror that people should be scared of and not ghosts."
The film reveals the harsh realities of life in Kashmir through this family’s experiences, blending emotional depth with socio-political issues.
Atmosphere and Themes
- Explores psychological trauma and its haunting effects on the community
- Highlights the militancy problems facing Kashmir
- Focuses on the lingering scars of the Kashmiri Pandit community
- Portrays a tense narrative oscillating between real and supernatural fears
Final Thoughts
Baramulla is a deeply emotional film that uses elements of horror and drama to depict the enduring pain of Kashmir’s turbulent history, even if its storytelling sometimes becomes tangled.
Author's summary: Baramulla blends trauma, terror, and haunting memories to reveal Kashmir’s painful past through a family’s struggle amid militancy and psychological scars.