The Buckingham Murders is an intriguing police drama set in a town in the United Kingdom. Curiously, this crime tale focuses on the Indian subcontinent’s immigrants living in the UK.
Not surprisingly, this Hindi movie from India has an English title. Also, while watching it, one might hear its dialogues in Hindi, English and other subcontinent languages.
UK = United Kingdom
‘The Buckingham Murders’ Is A Gripping Drama Set In UK, Helmed By Director Hansal Mehta & Actress Kareena Kapoor
Trailers (Official): The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
Spoiler Free Review: The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
The synopsis/summary
In this poignant narrative, Detective Inspector Jaspreet Bhamra, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor, faces the heart-wrenching loss of her child to murder. After relocating to Wycombe town in Buckinghamshire, England; she is charged with investigating the disappearance of another child. The film thoughtfully explores themes of trauma, grief, the immigrant experience, and the essential quest for closure.
Director Hansal Mehta offers something different and authentic
In the past, we reviewed two acclaimed Hindi web series “Scam 1992: Harshad Mehta Story” and “Scoop” directed by Hansal Mehta. So, we decided to watch this Hindi movie. With this British Police Drama set in Buckinghamshire (UK), the director Hansal has tried to offer something new and authentic in a Hindi movie. As the movie is set in the UK, almost Eighty (80%) per cent of the dialogue is in English.
So, what sets this Hindi movie apart is that it is not a typical Indian masala (commercial) movie. Firstly, most Indian movies have a runtime of over two hours; however, this is much shorter. Secondly, there is not a typical song and dance routine in this film, not even in colourful flashbacks.
Perhaps, all of these differentiating factors of this Indian movie might have adversely affected its performance at the box office in India.
To sum up, one could say that the content and mood seemed to be inspired more by the Movies/series from the West than those from India. Except for the Hindu-Muslim angle. As we mentioned above, one can move the people out of the Indian subcontinent; but then, they cannot change their dominant mentality about food, caste, region, religion, etc.
Leading lady actress Kareena Kapoor plays the sombre and mature role
A year ago, we reviewed the Jaane Jaan (2023) movie, wherein Kareena Kapoor portrayed a single mother with a lot of style. However, in The Buckingham Murders movie, Kareena plays the sombre and mature role of a grieving mother convincingly. It is heartening to watch her seamlessly transform into playing a strong and independent mother in Indian movies.
And, no doubt, with her compelling performance, she carries this film on her resolute shoulders. So, in this film, except for Kareena most of the actors are from the United Kingdom (UK). The ensemble cast did an okayish job in it. And, to be honest, we expected much better acts from a couple of actors/actresses.
“The script came to me a year before Mare of Easttown released. Actors should draw inspiration from other actors; it is kind of a motivation to make you want to do better. I am a huge Kate Winslet fan and I watch her work closely.”
Kareena Kapoor | Indian Express
The conclusion
Indian movies like The Buckingham Murders are certainly pushing the envelope in the Indian movie Industry. Certainly, it is not a bad effort. And, we liked the twists and turns in it.
Rating: The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
| FM Rating | 3.65/5 |
Poster: The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
Key Details: The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Original Languages | Hindi & English |
| Duration | 1 hour 47 minutes |
| Writers | Aseem Arrora, Raghav Raj Kakker & Kashyap Kapoor |
| Director | Hansal Mehta |
| Cast | Kareena Kapoor (Detective Inspector/DI Jaspreet “Jazz” Bhamra), Ash Tandon (DI Hardik Patel), Jonathan Nyati (Detective Sergeant/DS Cowden), Ranveer Brar (Daljeet Kohli), Darren Kemp (DS Simon Clark), Prabhleen Sandhu (Preeti Kohli), Adwoa Akoto (Detective Constable/DC Sharon Marks), Haqi Ali (Imam), Sanjeev Mehra (Kamalpreet Bhamra), etc. |
| Distributor | Pen Studios |
| Network | Netflix |
Top Songs: The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie
Singer: B Praak
Music Composer: Payal Dev
Lyrics: Kunaal Vermaa
Original Lyrics: Sameer Anjaan
Original Music Composer: Nadeem Shravan
Music Composer: Bally Sagoo
Singer: Vicky Marley
Lyricist: Devshi Khanduri
Spoilers Alert: Movie – Twists, Turns & Endings Explained
Twists, turns & endings in the movie explained
DI Jaspreet Bhamra versus DI Hardik Patel ends in a tragedy
Being a new officer at her police station in a different city, DI Jaspreet Bhamra often found herself obstructed by her senior, DI Hardik Patel, who resisted her methods of investigation. The underlying truth, however, was far more complex. DI Patel was found to be distorting the case in pursuit of revenge against a young drug dealer, who had inadvertently harmed his sister.
After his deceit was uncovered, DI Patel tragically ended his life with a gunshot in the presence of DI Bhamra and her colleagues from the British Police.
DI reinvestigates the murder case
Following the tragic death of DI Patel, DI Bhamra takes it upon herself to investigate the true circumstances surrounding the murder of a child who was first reported missing and later found dead in a park nearby. She has long been sceptical about the child’s missing bag.
As she continues her inquiry, DI Bhamra scrutinizes the family dynamics of both the Muslim family and the Indian family of the deceased child. Her investigation reveals that the two families had previously engaged in business together but eventually dissolved their partnership.
The murderer(s)
It should be noted that there was no connection between the Muslim family and the tragic death of the Indian Hindu boy. Ishpreet, as he was named, was adopted by his Indian parents – Daljeet Kohli and Preeti Kohli, and his foster mother had never really wanted him. It was she (and her lover) who ultimately devised the plan for his murder and executed their nefarious murder plan.
Featured Image – Kareena Kapoor (Detective Inspector/DI Jaspreet “Jazz” Bhamra)
Poster and Featured Image from The Buckingham Murders (2024/India) Movie | Pictures Credited to Netflix, Tips Official & Balaji Telefilms