BY VEENA RAO
Director: Hansal Mehta
Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Brar, Keith Allen, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Rating: ★★★½
Streaming on Netflix
As a lifelong fan of British murder mysteries, I could not resist a film with the tantalizing title, The Buckingham Murders. An English mystery with a Bollywood perspective? It immediately piqued my interest. Director Hansal Mehta has managed to add a nuanced Bollywood lens to the English murder mystery genre, creating a film that feels layered and introspective.
From the opening, The Buckingham Murders establishes a somber mood, pulling us into the grief-stricken world of Jasmeet “Jass” Bhamra, played with great restraint by Kareena Kapoor Khan. As Jass—a British-Indian detective grappling with the tragic loss of her son—dives into the unsettling case of a murdered child in Buckinghamshire, her personal grief seeps into the screen. The plot takes its time revealing Jass’s character arc, and Kareena’s strong performance anchors the story. In an understated, role, she expertly conveys Jass’s sorrow, anger, and doubts, often with just her eyes.
Kareena’s character was reportedly inspired by Kate Winslet’s portrayal in Mare of Easttown, the story of a detective in a small Pennsylvania town grappling with her own trauma while investigating a local murder and a series of missing girls.
Produced by Kareena herself, alongside Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor, The Buckingham Murders excels in taking the genre beyond the whodunit. It weaves in relevant social issues, from domestic violence to religious prejudice and the impact of drug addiction. However, while the exploration of these themes strengthens the film’s message, it occasionally detracts from its pacing.
The supporting cast, featuring talents like Ash Tandon and Keith Allen, bring authenticity to their parts.
Director Hansal Mehta took a creative risk by layering his murder mystery with social justice issues. Or maybe it was the other way around. When Mehta reportedly first heard the story from writer Aseem Arora in 2018, he immediately saw an opportunity to explore his favorite themes of displacement and marginalization. “That is a theme I have been obsessed with,” he said in a recent interview. “I found it challenging to tell that story through a murder mystery.” This challenge, however, is sometimes reflected in the film’s slow-burn plot.
While The Buckingham Murders may not be the “page-turner” of classic mysteries, with some patience, it is still an engrossing watch with a satisfying denouement. Kareena’s performance and Mehta’s deft touch make it a unique entry into Bollywood’s list of introspective thrillers.
Worth a watch for mystery fans who enjoy a touch of gravitas with their suspense.
