Kareena Kapoor Khan delivers a compelling performance in the English-Hindi crime thriller ‘The Buckingham Murders’, where she plays Jasmeet Bhamra (Jass), a British-Indian detective haunted by personal tragedy.
The film follows Jass as she relocates to Buckinghamshire to investigate the case of a missing child. As a grieving mother herself, having lost her own child to a brutal shooting, Jass grapples with overwhelming emotions while trying to navigate her high-pressure role as a detective. Her personal loss complicates her professional duties, as the memory of her innocent child’s death makes it difficult for her to cope with the cruelty of the world around her.
In ‘The Buckingham Murders’, Kapoor Khan portrays Jass as both sorrowful and resolute, a mother who channels her pain into her work. She seeks justice for ten-year-old Ishpreet, a schoolboy who vanishes one day, only to be found murdered. Jass’s determination to solve the case is driven not only by her detective instincts but also by her own unresolved grief. Kapoor Khan captures the character’s raw vulnerability while showcasing her strength, making Jass a multifaceted protagonist.
While Jass is portrayed as a strong and capable detective, the film also emphasises the delicate nature of motherhood, exploring how a woman’s identity as a mother transcends professional boundaries. Despite her resilience, Jass’s heartache is palpable, highlighting the emotional depth of her character.
As the murder mystery unfolds, the film is filled with surprising, shocking, and unexpected twists. Hansal Mehta, the director, masterfully weaves multiple subplots into the story, creating an intricate narrative that keeps the audience guessing. Themes such as communal tensions, adultery, and a clandestine gay encounter are intertwined with the murder investigation, adding layers of complexity to the plot.
Khan adopts a minimal or no-makeup look in nearly every scene of ‘The Buckingham Murders’, barring a few flashback sequences where she is shown reliving joyful moments with her child before his tragic death. This understated appearance enhances the raw, emotional depth of her character, allowing the audience to fully connect with her grief and vulnerability.
The supporting cast contributes solid performances, with each actor making a sincere effort to bring their characters to life in a convincing manner. However, while the film powerfully showcases a mother’s unyielding warrior spirit, masterfully portrayed by Khan, the screenplay could have benefited from a more focused narrative. Under Hansal Mehta’s direction, the film handles intense emotions well, but a crisper screenplay might have elevated its overall impact.
That said, Kareena’s brilliant acting, supported by a capable cast, and her debut as a co-producer, make ‘The Buckingham Murders’ a noteworthy film. Despite its few shortcomings, it stands as a solid, one-time watch, especially for fans of crime thrillers and character-driven dramas.
BizAsia Rating: 3/5
