The much-anticipated thriller The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Kareena Kapoor, premiered on Netflix India on November 8. Known for its riveting storyline and Kapoor’s powerful performance as a UK police sergeant, the film was expected to captivate audiences with its unique “Hinglish” format—a mix of 80% English and 20% Hindi dialogues. However, fans were disappointed when they discovered that only the fully dubbed Hindi version was available on the streaming platform, leading to a social media uproar.
Fans Voice Frustration on Social Media
As soon as The Buckingham Murders went live, disappointed fans took to Twitter (formerly known as X) to express their dissatisfaction with the absence of the original Hinglish version. Watching British characters speak in Hindi felt unnatural to many viewers, detracting from the film’s authenticity and immersion.
One Twitter user, @Sethumadhavan, voiced their frustration, tweeting, “Hi @mehtahansal why isn’t @NetflixIndia having the Hinglish version of #TheBuckinghamMurders? Watching all the Brits speak in Hindi makes it sound so artificial….. sigh!” This sentiment was echoed by many others, who found the Hindi dubbing jarring and inauthentic for a film set in the UK.
Hansal Mehta Responds to Fans’ Concerns
Hansal Mehta, known for engaging with his audience on social media, quickly acknowledged the complaints. Responding directly to @Sethumadhavan’s tweet, Mehta expressed his own surprise and frustration. “Just saw that Sethu. It is ridiculous not to have the film’s original version on the service. Have alerted @NetflixIndia about it. Hopefully, this is rectified soon enough,” he wrote, showing his support for fans seeking the original language experience.
Fans continued to voice their discontent throughout the day, with another user posting, “I started watching #TheBuckinghamMurders but the hindi dubbing is so bad I couldn’t go beyond a few mins. Dear @mehtahansal was the movie shot in English? Why isn’t @NetflixIndia showing us the original version? Watching all the Brits speak in Hindi makes it sound so artificial.”
Netflix Promises a Fix
Hansal Mehta went a step further, sharing a screenshot of the Netflix interface that stated, “Original audio coming soon.” In response to the ongoing complaints, he posted, “Due to a technical error on the service @NetflixIndia will be uploading the original language version in a few hours. Thank you for your patience. And yes it can be quite irritating to watch a dubbed version of the film. Apologies.”
This quick response from Mehta, along with his transparency about the technical glitch, helped ease the frustration of many fans. Netflix also responded to the situation, promising to rectify the issue as soon as possible.
The Story Behind The Buckingham Murders
The Buckingham Murders follows the story of Sergeant Jasmeet “Jass” Bhamra, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor, as she grapples with the personal trauma of losing her young son, Ekam. The mystery begins when she is assigned a case of a missing boy named Ishpreet, who is roughly the same age as her late son. The investigation, combined with her grief, forms the emotional backbone of the film, as Jass dives deeper into the case, confronting her own past and inner turmoil.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen, each playing integral roles in unraveling the complex narrative. The Buckingham Murders not only showcases Kareena Kapoor’s intense performance but also marks her debut as a producer. Co-produced by Hansal Mehta and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures, the film represents a collaborative effort to bring a unique, cross-cultural mystery thriller to Indian audiences.
Kareena Kapoor and Hansal Mehta’s Vision
The film was originally released in two versions: the Hinglish version, which captured the authenticity of the UK setting with dialogues primarily in English, and a fully dubbed Hindi version. Hansal Mehta, known for his gripping storytelling and realistic portrayals, wanted to preserve the cultural nuances of the film’s setting, making the Hinglish version a vital aspect of his creative vision.
Kareena Kapoor, who took on the role of a gritty UK police officer, poured her heart into the film. Her portrayal of a mother dealing with personal loss while solving a complex case adds depth to the narrative. Fans of Kapoor have eagerly awaited the chance to see her in this intense role, and many have expressed their disappointment at not being able to experience it in the intended language.
An Outpouring of Support for the Hinglish Version
The online complaints from fans have highlighted the importance of language authenticity, especially in films set in international locations. Many feel that watching the characters speak in their original languages enhances the viewing experience and allows for a more immersive engagement with the story.
With Hansal Mehta’s assurance and Netflix India’s commitment to uploading the Hinglish version soon, fans are hopeful that they will be able to experience The Buckingham Murders as it was intended. The excitement and anticipation surrounding the film’s original release have been rekindled, with fans eagerly awaiting the update.
The Buckingham Murders has proven to be a film that resonates deeply with viewers, both for its intense storyline and the performances of its cast. While the initial glitch in availability caused frustration, the quick response from Hansal Mehta and Netflix India has helped fans feel heard and valued. For now, fans are eagerly waiting to immerse themselves in the original Hinglish version of the film, hopeful that it will do justice to Hansal Mehta and Kareena Kapoor’s vision.
As streaming platforms continue to expand their global reach, language options and authenticity have become increasingly significant. The Buckingham Murders stands as a reminder of the power of storytelling in its original form and the value of cultural nuances in global cinema. Fans can look forward to revisiting the mystery of The Buckingham Murders in the original Hinglish version soon.