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MUMBAI: Indian cinema, and Hindi cinema in particular, has had a rich history of serving some delectable suspense thrillers, especially murder mysteries, with gems like Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnaam, Ittefaq, Dushman, Sangharsh, Gupt, Johnny Gaddaar, Kahaani, Badlapur, Andhadhun, Chup instantly springing to mind. Both our filmmakers' penchant for telling it right in this genre, and the audience's appetite for consuming it never seem to either away. So, expectations are naturally high when a Director of Hansal Mehta's caliber, a producer with Ekta Kapoor's eye, and an actor of Kareena Kapoor's class come together for a new murder mystery. Good news is that they deliver on almost every front with The Buckingham Murders.
Jasmeet aka Jazz Bhamra, a British-Indian homicide cop, dives head first into work after recently losing her child. As fate would have it, she's assigned the case of a child murderer within the Indian diaspora in London. It's a complex, layered character, with copious subtext, which Kareena tackles with all her years of experience to pull off with aplomb, seldom putting a foot wrong. It pays thought that she has a captain the likes of Hansal Mehta to steer her, especially during a harrowing climax. It also pays that they together have a producer like Ekta Kapoor who knows talent from miles away and possesses the prudence to let them get on with the job in whatever way they see fit.
To get a murder mystery that grips you from start to finish is a job very well done. To get one that underpins said mystery with fragile human emotions, intense trauma, and shifting human dynamics speaks volumes of Mehta's adeptness at his craft as also of his trio of extremely competent writers. Of course, none of it would've been possible sans the dexterity of Kareena Kapoor Khan navigating every nook and cranny of the harrowing halls of The Buckingham Murders's dark, somber, multi-layered narrative.
It especially pays rich dividends when none of the supporting cast barring Ranveer Brar are up to scratch, leaving Kareena to do all the heavy lifting, which she manages with composed stewardship. Amitesh Mukherjee's edits, too, leave a lot to be desired in terms of flow, pace, and duration as does Ketan Sodha's background score and some off-putting, totally incongruous songs. It's a good thing that at least Emma Dalesman's camerawork lends able support.
Certain technicalities and some dubious acting from the supporting players aside, The Buckingham Murders is ripe to revel in for lovers of a damn good murder mystery, and more so for those who like their thrills backed up by soul. Kareena Kapoor, Hansal Mehta, and Ekta Kapoor have a winner on their hands, so book your tickets for a gripping ride either in Hindi or English (its release in both languages) at your nearest theater.
4/5 stars
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