Director - Puneet Sharma 
Writer - Sudhanshu Rai
Cast - Sudhanshu Rai, Manisha Rai, Shobhit Sujay, Sourabh Raaj Jain, Hiten Tejwani, Tarun Khanna 
Duration – 1h49m
 
What do you get when you mix a disgruntled former detective, a dash of black magic, a sprinkle of British India, and a whole lot of “wait… what just happened?” That’s right—Baida, directed by Puneet Sharma, the film that feels like your Wi-Fi cutting out just as you’re about to finish an epic YouTube conspiracy theory video.
 
The story kicks off with Ram Babu (Sudhanshu Rai), a former detective turned salesman because apparently, crime-solving doesn’t pay the bills anymore. He’s living his best rural Uttar Pradesh life—until he stumbles into a hut that looks like it’s straight out of a horror movie, and meets Pishaach (Sourabh Raaj Jain), who seems like he’s auditioning for the role of “creepy neighbor who definitely owns a cursed doll.” Pishaach’s “hospitality” comes with a twist: Ram is suddenly hurled back in time to British India, where he’s sentenced to death because… well, time-traveling crimes, I guess?
 
Now, if you’re thinking, “Oh, this sounds like a thrilling sci-fi adventure,” you’re not entirely wrong. Baida attempts to blend mystery, fantasy, and supernatural horror into one tangled mess of a storyline. The first half is as slow as a dial-up connection—lots of staring into the distance, ominous background music, and zero urgency. But then—bam!—Pishaach shows up, and suddenly it’s like someone hit the “intense mode” button. The narrative jumps between timelines with all the grace of a cat on a hot tin roof, making you question whether you’ve accidentally entered a parallel universe.
 
The film’s low-budget roots are pretty evident—choppy editing, lighting that’s trying too hard to be spooky (think red and green hues screaming, “I’m eerie!”), and a climax that wraps up faster than a Netflix series with bad reviews. But hey, it’s not all bad. Saurabh Raaj Jain as Pishaach is genuinely terrifying, shedding his usual divine persona like a snake molting its skin, and delivering a performance that’ll make you side-eye your shadow. Shobhit Sujay’s Golu is the comic relief we didn’t know we needed, bringing much-needed laughs amidst the chaos.
 
Baida tries to juggle black magic, time travel, and supernatural horrors, but it’s like trying to balance a plate of samosas on your head—ambitious but slightly messy. The film’s heart is in the right place, exploring the concept of parallel universes and the blurred lines between life and death. Unfortunately, it doesn’t dive deep enough into its own mythology, leaving some elements feeling half-baked, like a recipe that forgot to add the secret ingredient.
 
In the end, Baida is a rollercoaster of suspense, supernatural twists, and time-travel confusion. It’s like that one friend who tells you an epic story, but halfway through, you realize they’ve mixed up the plot with three other stories. You’re not sure if you’re impressed or just bewildered. Either way, it’s an experience.