Huma Qureshi's Silent Performance Anchors a Chaotic Narrative
In 'Baby Do Die Do', directed by Nachiket Samant, Huma Qureshi plays Baby, a mute hitwoman whose silence becomes her most powerful weapon. The film, set against the rain-soaked streets of Mumbai, attempts to weave a noir thriller but often gets lost in its own frantic energy. Qureshi's portrayal is provocative and evocative, yet the script, co-written by Jasmeet K Reen, Samant, Parveez Shaikh, and Gaurav Sharma, struggles to maintain focus.
Supporting Cast Overwhelms the Lead
The film surrounds Baby with a cacophony of characters, including a devoted suitor Sidhu (Rachit Singh), a ruthless villain Zafar Katkar (Sikandar Kher), a builder with a double life Mulesh Murjhani (Himanshu Malik), and a relentless mother (Seema Pahwa). While Kher delivers a menacing performance, his character is underdeveloped. Malik's Murjhani, a fey-by-day-gay-by-night figure, hints at an intriguing duality but is reduced to a prop for producer Salim Saqeeb's item song 'Alpha Q'. The song's title appears to be a cheeky reference to another release, adding a layer of meta commentary.
Visuals and Soundtrack: A Mixed Bag
Cinematographer Tojo Xavier captures Mumbai with vigorous nonchalance, particularly in scenes featuring Baby's deadly umbrella. However, the film's soundtrack is exceptionally saturated, with songs, gunshots, and knives competing for attention. The frenetic pace becomes oppressive, undermining the calm that Baby embodies. The most compelling relationship is between Baby and Sidhu, representing a fantasy of the perfect soulmate, but it is not given enough room to breathe.
Missed Opportunities and a Twist Ending
The film attempts to surprise viewers right until the last shot, where Sonakshi Sinha appears in a cameo. Yet, the theme of a grieving hitwoman never fully emerges. A subplot involving cop Anjum Khan (Seema Pahwa) and matching red sneakers feels underutilized. Baby communicates only with her dead sister, reminiscent of Zoey Deutch in 'Voicemails To Isabelle', but the parallel feels forced. Ultimately, 'Baby Do Die Do' is far from the perfect noir thriller it aspires to be, though it offers glimpses of what could have been a gripping character study.
