Baby Do Die Do REVIEW: Huma Qureshi Lifts A Noir Action Thriller That Never Fully Takes Off

Film:
Baby Do Die Do

Director: Nachiket Samant

Writers: Jasmeet K Reen, Nachiket Samant and Parveez Shaikh

Cast: Huma Qureshi, Sikandar Kher, Chunky Pandey

Platform: In Theatres

Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes

Baby Do Die Do Review

Baby Do Die Do attempts to blend a noir action/thriller elements into a gritty tale of revenge and redemption. While the film boasts an intriguing premise, stylish visuals and a committed lead performance by Huma Qureshi, it struggles to maintain the suspense needed for an engaging thriller, making it a decent one-time watch rather than a thrilling experience.

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai, the story revolves around Baby Karmarkar (Huma Qureshi), a deaf and mute contract killer haunted by the traumatic murder of her sister. Living with the constant voice of her deceased sibling in her head, Baby works as an assassin for the city’s powerful real-estate mafia Zafar (Sikandar Kher), discreetly carrying a gun hidden inside her umbrella.

Her world takes a drastic turn when she’s assigned to eliminate someone influential. As secrets from her past begin to surface, Baby finds herself caught between revenge, love and survival. While the tender romance adds emotional depth, the film’s predictable narrative and easy-to-follow clues strip away any real sense of mystery, making the second half underwhelming. It ultimately builds towards a confrontation that promises answers to a two-decade-old mystery, but the payoff lacks the impact it aims for.

What Works

The biggest strength of Baby Do Die Do lies in its visual storytelling. The cinematography beautifully captures Mumbai’s dark underbelly, giving several sequences a slick, neo-noir aesthetic reminiscent of Hollywood thrillers. The action thriller is stylishly mounted, and the film succeeds in creating an atmospheric world.

Saqib Saleem’s surprise appearance in a strip dance sequence is another standout moment, bringing unexpected energy and entertainment to the narrative.

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What Doesn’t Work

Despite its intriguing setup, the screenplay fails to capitalize on its potential. The identity of the killer becomes fairly easy to predict as the film drops obvious clues throughout the investigation, reducing the suspense significantly. For a serial killer thriller, the psychological depth and unpredictability expected from the genre are largely missing.

Several scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, slowing down the pacing and diluting the tension. The emotional moments don’t always land with the intended impact, and the narrative loses momentum just when it should be intensifying.

Technical Analysis

Technically, Baby Do Die Do deserves appreciation. The cinematography is one of its strongest aspects, with impressive framing, lighting, and production design creating a visually immersive experience. The background score complements the noir setting effectively, while the action choreography remains grounded and stylish. Even when the writing falters, the technical execution keeps the film engaging.

Star Performances

Huma Qureshi delivers a sincere and commanding performance as Baby Karmarkar. Conveying emotions without dialogue is no easy feat, but she manages to bring vulnerability and intensity to the character, making Baby the emotional anchor of the film.

Sikandar Kher leaves a solid impression as Zafar, while Chunky Pandey surprises with a restrained performance as PM Jain, aka Papa. 

Rachit Singh, Seema Pahwa, Vidya Malvade, Himanshu Malik, Mangala Kenkre, Pradeep Kabra and the supporting cast perform their parts well, but the screenplay doesn’t give them enough scope to truly shine.

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Conclusion

Baby Do Die Do deserves credit for attempting something different within the noir action-thriller space. It looks polished, features a compelling lead performance from Huma Qureshi, and impresses on the technical front. However, its predictable screenplay, uneven pacing, and lack of genuine thrills prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Watch the trailer of Baby Do Die Do here:

Also Read: Welcome To The Jungle REVIEW: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff Lead A Wild, Family Entertainer Packed With Non-Stop Laughs

Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.