Exploring the Finale of Netflix’s Indian Supernatural Thriller Baramulla

Netflix’s latest offering, *Baramulla*, is set against the backdrop of Kashmir in December 2016. This Indian supernatural thriller deftly combines elements of mystery and horror while exploring profound themes such as faith, trauma, and redemption.

Plot Overview of Baramulla

The film centers around DSP Ridwaan Sayyed, portrayed by Manav Kaul, who relocates with his family to Baramulla. His mission is to investigate a series of unsettling child disappearances in the town. Ridwaan’s family, including his wife Gulnaar and their two children, Noorie and Ayaan, move into an abandoned house laden with a tragic history of violence and loss.

As the investigation unfolds, Ridwaan discovers that the origins of the mystery lie not just in Baramulla’s streets, but within the old house, haunted by the specters of its past occupants.

The Haunting History of the Sapru Family

Decades before Ridwaan’s arrival, the house belonged to the Sapru family—a Kashmiri Pandit family that endured persecution amid the turbulent climate of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Pandits faced mass displacement, with many fleeing to escape violence as armed militant groups sought to establish an Islamic state in the region. The story revisits the fateful day of the Sapru family massacre when militants attacked their home, resulting in the deaths of Kamalanand, Mansi, and their daughter Eela, leaving only their son Sharad to survive.

• Kamalanand Sapru: Father, murdered by militants.
• Mansi Sapru: Mother, killed alongside her children.
• Eela Sapru: Daughter, whose betrayal by her friend Zainab led to their demise.
• Sharad Sapru: Sole survivor, whose fate remains a poignant aspect of the narrative.

The spirits of Eela and Mansi remain tethered to the house, manifesting through white flowers each time a child goes missing.

The Disappearance of the Children

Initially, Ridwaan suspects local extremists are behind the abductions, aiming to recruit vulnerable children as soldiers. The first case involves Shoaib Ansari, the son of a former politician, who disappears during a magic show. Shortly after, another child, Faizal, goes missing while fishing.

The investigation takes a personal turn when Ridwaan’s own daughter, Noorie, vanishes from their home. The tension escalates as another boy, Yassir, is swallowed by a dark portal created by a tree. The children are being targeted by militants Khalid and Juneid, who plan to indoctrinate them, led by a mysterious figure known as Bhaijaan.

In a twist, the Sapru spirits intervene, rescuing the children just before they can be captured, drawing them into a protective spiritual realm through the white tulips marked at each crime scene.

Climactic Confrontation and Revelations

The film reaches a climax as Juneid and his associates invade Ridwaan’s home, seeking the missing children. Chaos ensues, and the house, once again a scene of violence, plays host to a showdown between the officers and militants. During the fracas, the Sapru spirits protect the family, eliminating most of the attackers.

In a shocking turn, it is revealed that Zainab, a teacher at a local school and former friend of Eela, is the true mastermind behind the abductions. Capturing her during the attack leads to a deadly confrontation whereby Gulnaar, possessed by Mansi’s spirit, ends Zainab’s life.

The Aftermath of Baramulla

After the dust settles, the missing children return unharmed, awakening in the very locations where they vanished. Ridwaan is celebrated for cracking the case, and soon after, he and his family leave Baramulla for a new beginning. The film concludes with Ridwaan’s son Ayaan presenting a small keepsake box to Sharad Sapru, the last surviving member of the Sapru family.

This emotional exchange signifies a moment of reconciliation and closure for the grieving spirits. *Baramulla* transcends the boundaries of horror to become a reflection on memory and recognition of a troubled past.

The overarching message of the film invites viewers to confront the history of Kashmir, suggesting that true liberation involves acknowledging and reconciling with pain from all perspectives.