Baby Do Die Do (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – Follows Baby Karmarkar, a deaf and mute contract killer and her adventures in Mumbai.

My Take – While the past few weeks of social media chatter have revolved around YRF’s latest Spy Universe entry, Alpha, and more recently, its inability to rise above the clichés of the “female assassin” template, another release slipped quietly under the radar.

Overshadowed yet deserving of attention, this smaller film marks the maiden production venture of siblings Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem. Reuniting with director Nachiket Samant (Comedy Couple, Single Salma), they introduce the titular deaf-mute hit woman in what begins as a straightforward assassination drama, only to peel back layers of grief, guilt, corruption, and revenge.

What emerges is a taut, South Korean–inspired crime thriller, co-written by Jasmeet Kaur Reen and Parveez Shaikh that treats Mumbai’s underworld not as a glossy fantasy but as a cold, transactional network where violence is business. Thriving on unexpected turns, sharp storytelling, and a gripping blend of revenge, romance, humor, and neo-noir flair, the film refuses to be boxed into the formulaic revenge-drama blueprint of Hindi cinema, instead carving out something stylish, suspenseful, and distinctly different.

Yes, it has some pacing issues, but for viewers weary of traditional masala fare, this is a film worth seeking out, particularly for Huma Qureshi’s silent yet commanding presence that anchors the narrative, making it a powerful watch that deserves a place on your list.

The story centers on Baby Karmakar (Huma Qureshi), a deaf-mute woman living in Mumbai with her mother (Mangal Kenkare). By day, she appears ordinary; by night, she works as an assassin-for-hire under her mentor and boss, P. M. Jain (Chunky Panday), who disguises his contract-killing empire behind the facade of property dealings.

Haunted by the childhood trauma of losing her twin sister, Baby carries the emotional weight of both her past and her perilous profession. A glimmer of hope enters her life in the form of Amandeep Singh Siddhu (Rachit Singh), a struggling singer and music teacher from the neighborhood. His affection slowly breaks through her guarded silence, and Baby, yearning for love and companionship, eventually marries him.

Meanwhile, Jain serves the ruthless builder Zafar Katkar (Sikandar Kher), who orders the assassination of rival real estate magnate Mikky Murjhani (Himanshu Malik). Jain entrusts the task to his loyal aide Manu (Marudhar Shekhawat), but when Manu falters, Baby steps in and executes the hit with precision. The success, however, comes at a cost—her actions draw the attention of DCP Anjum Khan (Seema Pahwa), setting the stage for a dangerous collision between Baby’s hidden world and the law.

Though the story may appear predictable, director Nachiket Samant avoids leaning on harsher, grittier elements. Instead, he channels the spirit of classic Bollywood noir—dominating villains, eccentric characters, humor, romance, and the ever-lethal umbrella—surprising viewers with a retro yet refreshing approach. Admittedly, there are a few contrived patches, and the climactic reveals aren’t as cleverly concealed as the film imagines.

Yet these flaws don’t derail the experience, thanks to the film’s technical richness. Tojo Xavier’s cinematography stands out as a major strength. His lens captures Mumbai’s rain-slicked streets, cramped lanes, and shadowy interiors with the moody elegance of vintage noir, turning the city itself into a silent character.

The editing remains taut, never allowing the narrative to sag, while the action choreography is stylish and inventive—most notably a murder staged inside a Mumbai local train, a sequence that is both terrifying and unforgettable. The background score heightens tension, and the songs are woven seamlessly into the narrative, never breaking its rhythm.

At the heart of it all lies Huma Qureshi’s performance. The film’s backbone and greatest triumph. Playing a role without dialogue, she communicates through expressions alone, shifting effortlessly between anger, fear, frustration, and tenderness. Whether in combat or quiet reflection, she embodies Baby Karmakar with confidence and nuance, making her silent avatar a commanding presence. Among the supporting cast, Sikandar Kher delivers a menacing antagonist, while Chunky Pandey surprises with a layered turn as the contract-killing kingpin.

Rachit Singh lends emotional weight as Baby’s husband, and Seema Pahwa is magnetic as the sharp, authoritative police officer. Debutante Marudhar Shekhawat holds his own, while Himanshu Malik and Vidya Malavade shine in brief but effective roles. On the whole, ‘Baby Do Die Do‘ is a taut revenge thriller, elevated by Huma Qureshi’s commanding performance and enriched with a noir sensibility that lingers long after the credits roll.”