Director Nachiket Samant’s Baby Do Die Do starts with a premise that’s instantly intriguing. At the centre of the story is Baby Karmarkar (Huma Qureshi), a deaf and mute contract killer on a relentless mission to find the man responsible for her sister’s death. Blending revenge, crime and noir elements, the film sets up a gripping story that keeps you invested at least for the first half.
Huma Qureshi is undoubtedly the heart of the film. With very little dialogue to rely on, she conveys Baby’s emotions through expressive eyes, subtle gestures and commanding body language. She makes the character feel both vulnerable and dangerous, effortlessly switching between moments of quiet grief and calculated violence. It’s one of her most controlled and compelling performances in recent years. Rachit Singh also delivers note a worthy performance.
The film does an excellent job of drawing viewers into its world early on. Mumbai’s dark underbelly becomes a character in itself, with dimly lit lanes, abandoned buildings and rain-soaked streets creating the perfect backdrop for Baby’s journey. The action sequences are stylish without going overboard, while the background score helps maintain the film’s tense atmosphere.
The supporting cast also leaves an impression. Chunky Panday is effective as Baby’s handler, Jain, bringing an understated sense of menace to the role. Sikandar Kher delivers a solid performance, and actors like Seema Pahwa and Vidya Malvade add weight to the story, even if their characters could have been explored further.
Unfortunately, Baby Do Die Do begins to lose its grip as the story progresses. The screenplay packs in several twists and revelations, but not all of them land as intended. Instead of building emotional intensity, the narrative becomes increasingly tangled, making the revenge angle feel less impactful. By the time the climax arrives, it lacks the emotional punch that the film spends so much time building towards. A lot of scenes could have been deleted as sub-plots failed to add any mystery to the thriller.
Another missed opportunity is the way the film handles Baby’s disability. While her silence is portrayed with sensitivity and never treated as a weakness, the script doesn’t fully explore how her condition has shaped her emotionally or influenced her relationships. There’s potential for a deeper character study that remains largely untapped.
Even with its flaws, Baby Do Die Do is far from a disappointing watch. Huma Qureshi’s performance alone makes the film worth your time, and the stylish presentation keeps things engaging even when the screenplay stumbles. It’s an ambitious revenge thriller with plenty of good ideas, but one that ultimately falls short of becoming the gripping noir drama it promises to be.
Baby Do Die Do has all the ingredients of a memorable revenge thriller a fascinating protagonist, a stylish setting and a talented cast. While it doesn’t quite live up to its potential due to uneven writing and an underwhelming finale, Huma Qureshi‘s powerful performance ensures the film leaves a lasting impression.