★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
“Bhram” (2025) is a Gujarati horror-suspense thriller directed by Pallav Parikh. The film stars Mitra Gadhavi (as Mehul), Sonali Lele Desai (as Maya), Nishma Soni (as Shraddha), and Abhinav Banker (as the Inspector) in pivotal roles. The story revolves around a mysterious murder that occurs inside Maya’s home. Maya suffers from dementia. Apart from her, the house is shared by Shraddha, and Mehul, the caretaker, who comes every morning to handle all household chores—from breakfast and meals to attending to everyone’s needs.
Maya lives in a world of her own. She has a meticulously organized system—written instructions, posters with details of each room, video messages, and mobile alarms—to manage her daily routine. This helps ensure she doesn’t face confusion or difficulty due to her condition.
A Disruption in Routine – A Murder or a Delusion?
One day, the ordinary routine shatters. Maya calls the police claiming that her daughter Shraddha has been murdered. The police arrive to investigate. Mehul tries to convince them that Shraddha is alive and that Maya is having one of her delusional episodes—something she often experiences, confusing reality with imagined events.
Although the police are initially skeptical, they are convinced upon seeing Shraddha alive. Still, certain observations and statements made by Maya seem oddly sensible, prompting them to continue investigating. Their persistence pays off when they find a corpse hidden in the house—not Shraddha’s, but that of the house help.
The Investigation Deepens – Layers of Illusion and Reality
As the investigation unfolds, Maya’s voice notes, along with the post-mortem and forensic reports, point fingers at Maya first, then Shraddha, and ultimately Mehul. With each interrogation, a deeper, alternate reality—an entire world of illusions—begins to emerge.
Who did what, when, how, and why?
The answers to these questions unravel like a maze of illusions. What once seemed to be Maya’s solitary world of delusion becomes a trap for everyone involved—Shraddha, Mehul, the Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Police Commissioner, and even the doctors. The film cleverly weaves a “chakravyuh” (labyrinth) of confusion and suspicion around the Inspector himself.
Themes and Impact
The narrative challenges viewers’ perceptions and assumptions, exploring the thin line between illusion and reality. The plot stands out for its freshness and breaks away from traditional storytelling in Gujarati cinema. Its intense cinematography and direction add a sharp edge to the thriller genre.
Performances by Sonali Lele Desai (Maya), Mitra Gadhavi (Mehul), Nishma Soni (Shraddha), and Abhinav Banker (Inspector) are gripping and memorable.
Conclusion
Bhram leads the audience into a world of deception—confusing yet grounded. With its strong narrative and experimental approach, the film is a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre. It’s a bold and commendable move in the evolution of Gujarati cinema.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
