‘We saw earthquakes, snowstorms, and crew getting sick every day’: ‘Baramulla’ director Aditya

Filmmaker Aditya Suhas Jambhale, known for his critically acclaimed film Article 370, has revealed that shooting his upcoming thriller ‘Baramulla’ was one of the most gruelling experiences of his career.

Speaking to CNN-News18, the director shared how his team battled earthquakes, snowstorms and extreme cold during the film’s 23-day shoot in Kashmir – a test of endurance that left crew members hospitalised.

The film, which premieres on Netflix on November 7, was shot entirely in the Valley under harsh weather conditions. Describing the experience, Aditya said, “There was no time. We shot it in just 23 days. It was one of the most challenging shoots ever, I feel. We saw earthquakes, we saw snowstorms.”

He added, “We saw crew members getting admitted every day. There were hypothermia attacks – people were actually getting hypothermia. It was very tough. Everything was happening, every single day. You’d wake up and realise something was literally crashing down on you. We didn’t even have time to react.”

Despite the extreme circumstances, Aditya said the team’s belief in the story kept them going. “When you’re making a treatment-oriented, performance-driven film like this, it’s not just tough for the actors but for the entire crew. The biggest scare was that if we couldn’t shoot a certain scene due to weather or resources, we’d lose it entirely. The climate was unpredictable, and that was my biggest worry throughout those 23 days.”

He admitted there were moments of emotional strain but said he couldn’t afford to show it. “There were moments I felt like crying, but I couldn’t – I was the captain of the ship, and no one should see me break down,” he said.

Aditya expressed immense pride in his team’s resilience: “Despite all the hardships, we made it through and now, to see the film releasing on November 7 feels surreal. Finishing a film like this in just 23 days is almost impossible. I’m proud of that – proud of my crew and my producer, Savitri Dhar Lokesh. It truly feels like we achieved the impossible.”

‘Baramulla’ blends horror, mystery, and action within a thriller framework. Talking about the film’s premise, Aditya said, “Being hush-hush is good for a film which is based on whispers in a valley. I feel it is an atmosphere that has organically been built around it. Basically, we have done this film called ‘Baramulla’, which is a genre-bending kind of a film, where we have explored Kashmir through a very different lens. It has not been done in Indian cinema so often.”

He explained that the film doesn’t strictly fall into the horror category but instead weaves multiple genres together.

About ‘Baramulla’

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios) in collaboration with Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar (B62 Studios), ‘Baramulla’ marks their second partnership with Netflix after the success of ‘Dhoom Dhaam’. The film stars Manav Kaul in the lead role, alongside Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, and Rohaan Singh.

Set in the picturesque yet haunting landscapes of Kashmir, the story follows DSP Ridwaan Shafi Sayyid (Manav Kaul) as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of children in Baramulla. As he moves into the valley with his wife Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli) and their two children, the family begins to experience eerie occurrences – from hearing phantom footsteps to sensing an invisible presence in their home.

While Ridwaan dismisses these fears as imagination, he soon realises that the darkness lurking in the valley is far more real – and far more personal – than he could have ever imagined.