Hansal Mehta’s The Buckingham Murders, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan in a pivotal role, made a decent start at the Indian box office. However, after the initial excitement, the film’s earnings have been on a gradual decline. As the seventh day wraps up, the total estimated collection stands at ₹7.53 crore nett in India. The film, set in the UK, delves into the complexities of loss, grief, and a gripping murder mystery.
Opening Weekend: Promising Beginnings
The film opened on a promising note on Day 1, collecting ₹1.15 crore, with ₹70 lakh contributed by the Hindi version and ₹45 lakh from the Hinglish version. This was a testament to Kareena Kapoor Khan’s strong fan base and the allure of a murder mystery. As word of mouth spread, The Buckingham Murders saw a significant jump on Day 2 with earnings of ₹1.95 crore, followed by ₹2.15 crore on Day 3.
These first three days were crucial in setting the tone for the film’s initial success. The intriguing premise of Sergeant Jasmeet ‘Jass’ Bhamra (played by Kareena Kapoor) dealing with the trauma of losing her son while investigating a missing child case kept audiences interested.
Midweek Decline: A Test of Time
Despite the decent opening, The Buckingham Murders could not maintain its momentum. On Day 4, the collections dropped to ₹80 lakh, and the numbers continued to fall over the next few days. Day 5 saw a further dip, with collections of ₹75 lakh, followed by ₹50 lakh on Day 6.
The dwindling numbers suggested that while the film’s premise was compelling, it struggled to maintain a steady hold on audiences throughout the week. Additionally, the film faced competition from other releases, which may have contributed to the drop in attendance.
Day 7: A Drastic Fall
By Day 7, the film’s earnings had dropped significantly. The Buckingham Murders collected only ₹23 lakh nett in India, a stark contrast to its opening weekend numbers. With a 7.83 percent Hindi occupancy rate, the film’s performance in theaters was underwhelming, despite its emotional depth and strong performances.
The Total Collection So Far
As of Day 7, The Buckingham Murders has earned an estimated ₹7.53 crore nett in India. This includes earnings from both the Hindi and Hinglish versions of the film. While the film had a decent start, the gradual decline in numbers reflects its struggle to sustain audience interest over the week.
The Storyline: A Deeply Emotional Thriller
The Buckingham Murders is set in the UK and revolves around Sergeant Jasmeet ‘Jass’ Bhamra, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is coping with the tragic loss of her young son, Ekam (Mairaaj Kakkar). Her character’s emotional turmoil adds layers of depth to the narrative. Amid her personal grief, she is assigned a case to investigate the disappearance of Ishpreet, a boy roughly the same age as her own son.
Kareena’s portrayal of a grieving mother-turned-investigator is poignant and intense, marking her production debut with finesse. The film also stars Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen in supporting roles, each bringing their own gravitas to this murder mystery.
Kareena’s Bold Move in Production
The Buckingham Murders not only represents Kareena Kapoor’s evolution as an actor but also as a producer. This venture into production marks a new chapter in her illustrious career, and despite the film’s box office struggles, her performance has been widely appreciated.
Co-produced by Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms, the film highlights Kareena’s commitment to telling bold, unconventional stories.
Although the film’s box office earnings have been underwhelming after a decent start, The Buckingham Murders remains a significant release for its thematic depth and emotional resonance. With a stellar performance from Kareena Kapoor and strong direction from Hansal Mehta, the film has garnered attention for its subject matter, even if it hasn’t translated into sustained box office success.