Manav Kaul Stars as DSP Ridwaan Sayyed in Haunting Kashmiri Mystery
The Manav Kaul-starrer crime thriller Baramulla has premiered on Netflix today, November 7, and is generating significant buzz for its gripping narrative and unique thematic depth. The film, set in the chillingly serene town of Kashmir, follows DSP Ridwaan Sayyed as he investigates the alarming case of children disappearing under mysterious circumstances.
Early reviews suggest the film is not a standard horror flick but a more unsettling blend of supernatural elements and social realism, earning praise for its unique tone.
Plot: Crime, Supernatural, and Unhealed Wounds
Baramulla immediately plunges the audience into a tense atmosphere where children are vanishing without a trace. Manav Kaul plays DSP Ridwaan Sayyed, a newly transferred, quiet officer whose investigation soon uncovers deep secrets buried in the Kashmir Valley.
The plot is designed to blur the line between reality and delusion:
- The Case: The official synopsis confirms that the police officer is investigating missing children cases, which leads him to discover “disturbing truths.”
- The Haunting: Supernatural occurrences begin to threaten his family and the tranquility of Baramulla. Ridwaan and his family move into an old house where unsettling things begin to happen, forcing him to face the darkness lurking both in the region’s past and “the darkness lingering inside him.”
- Thematic Depth: Critics highlight that the film is a powerful meditation on grief, memory, and exile, using the disappearance of children to touch upon the unhealed wounds of Kashmiri Pandits’ exodus—a far greater, historical horror than traditional jump scares.
🎬 Cast, Crew, and Critical Acclaim
Baramulla is directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, who co-wrote the script with Monal Thakkar and is known for his work on the impactful film Article 370. It is co-produced by Jio Studios, B26 Studios, Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar.
- Lead Cast: Manav Kaul (DSP Ridwaan Sayyed), Bhasha Sumbli (Gulnaar, Ridwaan’s wife), Kiara Khanna, and Masoom Mumtaz Khan.
- Critical Take: Critics have hailed the film as “one of the most unique and creatively well-realised Hindi films” in a long time. Manav Kaul’s performance as the haunted cop is called “magnetic,” bringing intensity and depth to the challenging role.
The film successfully uses the snow-covered Kashmir Valley not just as a picturesque backdrop but as a character that is “haunting and alive,” enhancing the atmosphere of psychological terror and suspense.