Baida Film Review: A Time-Warping Tango with Terror in Rural India

🤔🤔🤔 (3 out of 5)

Looking for a film that throws you headfirst into a muddled mix of mystery, fantasy, and supernatural elements? Congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot! Let’s dive into “Baida,” a movie that seems to have been woven together with strands of a fever dream. So, hold onto your seats and brace yourselves. This is Review Rani, and I’m about to shake things up with my take on this, umm, ‘interesting’ film.

The “Plot” Twist:

Alright, folks, here’s the lowdown. We have our former detective turned rural salesman, Ram Babu (played by Sudhanshu Rai), who finds himself in a pickle when he stumbles upon a hut in the middle of nowhere. One moment he’s chilling in the 21st century, and the next, he’s sentenced to death in British India. Cue the suspense music as our protagonist races against time to escape the noose and make sense of his topsy-turvy world.

Into The Rabbit Hole:

“Baida,” directed by Puneet Sharma and written by Sudhanshu Rai (because why not wear multiple hats), is set in rural Uttar Pradesh. It’s a wild concoction of black magic, science, and a man’s desperate fight for survival. The movie pushes the envelope with its eerie execution scene right at the start, followed by the introduction of our protagonist, who swaps the thrill of his detective life for the mundane life of a salesman. Well, so much for a peaceful life!

Enter The Sinister:

Then walks in Pishaach (Saurabh Raaj Jain), our resident supernatural creature. With his spooky aura, he spins a web of horror that engulfs Ram. There’s a sudden shift in time and place as Ram finds himself in British India, sentenced to death. Just as you think you’re getting a grip on the story, the film adds sci-fi and fantasy to its palette, and voila! We’re back to the present. Talk about time travel whiplash!

Lights, Camera, Confusion!:

“Baida” dangles a promising plot but falters when it comes to execution. You can’t miss the glaring low-budget signs – choppy editing, and an overuse of saturated lighting that’s more distracting than eerie. And the climax! Oh, it’s so neatly wrapped up, you’d think they ran out of plot twists.

The Real Heroes:

The saving grace of this rollercoaster ride is its performances. Saurabh Raaj Jain is chilling as Pishaach, shedding his divine persona for a sinister one. Then there’s Shobhit Sujay’s Golu, the comic relief, who offers much-needed humor and Manisha Rai who keeps things grounded. Hiten Tejwani and Tarun Khanna, despite their brief appearance, leave a mark.

Unfulfilled Potential:

“Baida” teases us with the concept of parallel universes and black magic. But it’s like a half-baked cake – intriguing on the surface but underdeveloped inside. Pishaach’s menacing ambition of controlling life and death adds a layer of dread to the story, but falls short of being truly spine-chilling.

Rani’s Wrap-Up:

“Baida” starts slow, picks up pace in the latter half, and serves a suspenseful cocktail of supernatural elements. It’s a bumpy ride with its fair share of hiccups but might be worth a watch for those who like a dash of the experimental in their supernatural thrillers. Remember, this is Review Rani signing off, reminding you that life is too short for bad movies. But if you’re into that sort of thing, who am I to judge? 🤷‍♀️