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The Buckingham Murders review: Kareena Kapoor in a still from the film.
Imagine dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant where the portions are predictably small. Instead of a traditional dish you’re served Hakka noodles combined with shahi paneer and topped with pineapple.
It sounds like an odd mix but what if it turns out to be surprisingly delicious? This is a bit like the experience of watching The Buckingham Murders.
Just as the unusual ingredients might create a surprisingly pleasing flavor the film blends unexpected elements that might defy expectations but offer an unexpectedly engaging experience.
With a runtime of about one and a half hours The Buckingham Murders resembles a small portion at a gourmet restaurant. This film brings together an unlikely mix of talents Kareena Kapoor known for her mainstream appeal Hansal Mehta celebrated for his realistic storytelling and Ekta Kapoor recognized for her dramatic flair.
Each of these creators comes from a distinct background yet they unite to produce a film unlike anything they’ve tackled before in their careers. This collaboration blends their varied approaches resulting in a unique and unexpected cinematic experience.
What the film is about :
The story centers on Sergeant Jasmeet ‘Jass’ Bhamra, portrayed with subtle depth by Kareena Kapoor who is mourning the death of her young son, Ekam (played by Mairaaj Kakkar). When assigned to investigate the disappearance of another boy Ishpreet—who is around the same age as Ekam Jass is initially reluctant to take on the case.
As the probe progresses and Ishpreet’s body is discovered, the case reveals new and complex angles, leading to a finale that while not shocking, leaves a lasting impact. Revealing more about the plot would spoil the experience (pun unintended).
What works :
Set in Buckinghamshire The Buckingham Murders is a deliberate slow burner. Hansal Mehta, a skilled filmmaker, wraps up the backstory of Sergeant Jasmeet’s loss within the first five minutes, allowing the narrative to focus sharply on the case.
The film is set against the backdrop of the 2022 Leicester Hindu-Muslim unrest which followed the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match. This setting provides writer Aseem Arrora with ample opportunity to craft scenes and plot points that resonate with the tense atmosphere.
Fortunately the film avoids being preachy delivering a message where ‘justice trumps religion without heavy-handedness.
The first half of the film takes its time to build momentum and it doesn’t offer a climactic moment before the intermission which appears surprisingly early just 40 minutes into the runtime.
However, once the intermission is over and you settle back with your popcorn the pace picks up significantly as the mystery of Ishpreet’s death unfolds.
If you’re a devoted fan of crime shows like Crime Patrol you might figure out the twist before the big reveal. Despite this the film remains engaging addressing themes such as drug abuse and gender identity. The exploration of these issues adds depth to the narrative making it a compelling watch.
Performance report card :
Kareena Kapoor is the emotional heartbeat of The Buckingham Murders. Within the first 20 minutes you’re so absorbed in her performance that it’s easy to forget she’s the same actress who played the endlessly chatty Geet in Jab We Met or the money-driven air hostess in Crew.
In this film, Kareena delivers a nuanced portrayal of pain and anger. There is however a moment where she screams in frustration which feels like a cliché a mandatory scene for a ‘Frustrated Mother’ in every film. Despite this her more subtle moments, such as restraining her tears until the end are deeply moving and effective.
Importantly Kareena’s star power doesn’t overshadow the story or the other characters which is a significant achievement. In many self-financed films the actors’ egos can sometimes dominate the narrative, but that’s not the case here.
Ranveer Brar known for his culinary expertise, excels as the short-tempered Daljeet demonstrating his acting talent beyond the kitchen. Prabhleen Kaur is perfectly cast as the seemingly innocent Preeti Kohli adding a layer of complexity to her character.
A special mention goes to casting directors Mukesh Chhabra and Shakyra Dowling for assembling a cast that fits their roles exceptionally well contributing to the film’s overall success.
What does not work :
The Buckingham Murders delivers on its promise without offering any shocking twists or major revelations that spark everyday conversations. The story is engaging but doesn’t aim to jolt you out of your seat.
As a result, its appeal is likely to be niche, as slow-burning films often struggle to achieve widespread success. However, there’s hope that perceptions may shift, and such films might gain broader acceptance in the future.
The film also stars Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar and Keith Allen in pivotal roles. Written by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker this mystery-thriller is produced by Mahana Films and TBM Films and presented by Balaji Telefilms.
It is co-produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor marking her debut as a producer. The Buckingham Murders is set for an exclusive release in cinemas on September 13, 2024.
Kareena Kapoor’s upcoming projects :
Kareena Kapoor’s most recent role was in the Netflix mystery-thriller Jaane Jaan directed by Sujoy Ghosh. Her upcoming project is Rohit Shetty’s Singham Returns where she will star alongside Ajay Devgn, who reprises his role as the titular character.
Kareena Kapoor Khan Biography :
In the following year she appeared in five films, including the romance Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai the thriller Ajnabee and the ensemble melodrama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The latter became the highest-grossing Bollywood film overseas at that time solidifying her position in the industry. However this success was followed by a series of commercial failures with repetitive roles.
A turning point in her career came in 2004 with her portrayal of a prostitute in Chameli, which earned her a Filmfare Special Award. That year she also played a Muslim woman affected by the 2002 Gujarat riots in Govind Nihalani’s Dev.
In 2006 she took on the role of Desdemona in Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, Omkara and won two Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actress. In 2007, Kapoor starred in the romantic comedy Jab We Met, where her role as a loquacious Sikh girl earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Kapoor co-starred with Aamir Khan in Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots (2009), which became the highest-grossing Indian film at that time. She also won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for We Are Family and appeared in the successful comedy Golmaal 3 (2010).
In 2011 she starred in the top-grossing action films Bodyguard and Ra.One. Her 2012 releases included Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Heroine and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within all of which garnered significant praise.
In the following years Kapoor Khan who had reduced her workload took on smaller roles in films like Singham Returns (2014) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) with the latter becoming one of Indian cinema’s highest earners.
Her career saw a resurgence in 2016 with successful films such as Ki & Ka and the critically acclaimed Udta Punjab. She continued her success with ensemble comedies Veere Di Wedding (2018) and Good Newwz (2019).
After reuniting with Aamir Khan in the drama Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) which was commercially unsuccessful Kapoor Khan made her streaming film debut with the thriller Jaane Jaan (2023). In 2024 she achieved another female-led commercial success with the comedy Crew.