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Kareena Kapoor Khan has made her much-anticipated return to the silver screen with The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta. This film, released in theaters today, is a murder mystery that promises suspense and intrigue. Let’s delve into whether it lives up to its expectations.
Movie Overview
- Title: The Buckingham Murders
- Rating: ★★★☆☆
- Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Brar, Aash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
- Director: Hansal Mehta
- Release Date: September 13, 2024
- Platform: Theatrical Release
- Language: Hindi
- Budget: N/A
In the midst of commercially successful films, Kareena Kapoor has also chosen to explore unique narratives, as seen in her previous project, Jaane Jaan. The Buckingham Murders continues this trend, diverging from typical commercial cinema.
Storyline
The film revolves around Jasmeet Bhammra, affectionately known as Jas (Kareena Kapoor). She is a police officer who relocates to Buckinghamshire following the tragic murder of her son at the hands of a psychopath. Struggling with her grief, she is determined to leave behind the memories of her son’s death.
Upon her arrival in Buckinghamshire, Jas is assigned the case of a missing child. Although she initially hesitates to take on the case due to her emotional turmoil, circumstances compel her to dive into the investigation.
An OTT Sensibility on the Big Screen
While watching The Buckingham Murders, viewers might question why it was released in theaters instead of a digital platform. The film did not receive substantial promotion, and there was a noticeable absence of interviews with the cast. The screenplay, crafted by Aseem Arora, Raghav Raj Kakkar, and Kashyap Kapoor, presents a straightforward plot: a grieving mother investigates a missing child while wrestling with her own pain.
The narrative attempts to tackle various societal issues, such as religious tensions between Sikhs and Muslims, LGBTQ+ representation, domestic violence, and workplace gender biases. However, these themes often feel superficial and fail to reach a satisfying conclusion. In a crime thriller, maintaining suspense is crucial; yet, the film struggles in this area. Thankfully, director Hansal Mehta improves the pacing in the latter half.
Hansal Mehta’s Direction
Known for addressing real-life stories and societal issues, Hansal Mehta ventures into new territory with this film. Buckinghamshire plays a significant role in the narrative, almost acting as a character itself. To enhance authenticity, the film incorporates a mix of Hindi and Hinglish, with about 80% of the dialogue in English. This might prove challenging for Hindi-speaking audiences.
Cast Performances
The film has its shortcomings, such as the implausible timing of a DNA report; however, the climax delivers a shocking twist. Kareena Kapoor’s performance is commendable; she skillfully portrays the anguish of losing a child and the frustration of a helpless mother, expressing a wide range of emotions through her facial expressions.
Ranveer Brar, as the father of the missing child, demonstrates that his talents extend beyond the culinary arts to acting. Prabhleen Sandhu, portraying his wife, delivers a powerful performance, navigating a variety of emotions effectively. Aash Tandon excels as Jas’s senior officer, and Rekha Bhardwaj’s enchanting song, “Halki Khank Si,” beautifully complements the film’s narrative.
