In a swirling tempest of discontent, Netflix India has found itself facing a barrage of criticism, not just from disgruntled viewers but also from acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta concerning the conspicuous absence of the original Hinglish rendition of the gripping investigative thriller, The Buckingham Murders. This highly anticipated film, featuring the illustrious Kareena Kapoor Khan in a lead role, graced screens on November 8, 2024, yet it was locked away behind the veil of a mere Hindi-dubbed offering — a decision that has raised eyebrows across social media.
Social media, that modern-day agora, erupted with voices lamenting the absence of the original flavor. An exasperated user on X (formerly known as Twitter) questioned the rationale behind such an omission, lamenting, “Hi @mehtahansal, why isn’t @NetflixIndia showing the Hinglish version of #TheBuckinghamMurders? Watching all the Brits speaking in Hindi feels so painfully artificial… sigh!”
In response to this outcry, the ever-vocal Mehta did not mince his words. Channeling his indignation directly to his followers, he tweeted, “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.”
The conversation took on a life of its own, with Mehta sharing screenshots of Netflix’s subsequent clarification, which attributed the missing Hinglish version to a technical glitch. In a bid to quell the unrest, the streaming titan assured fans that the original language version would soon be available. Mehta echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the discontent with dubbed versions while thanking viewers for their patience: “Due to a technical error on the service, @NetflixIndia will be uploading the original language version in a few hours. And yes, it can be quite irritating to watch a dubbed version of the film. Apologies.”
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of London, The Buckingham Murders is not merely a crime drama; it’s an exploration of cultural identity, intricately weaving English and Hindi dialogues — a method intended to encapsulate the diverse tapestry of contemporary London life. Alongside Kapoor Khan, the film boasts a talented ensemble, including Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen. It also marks a significant milestone as Kareena Kapoor Khan’s debut venture into production, in collaboration with Hansal Mehta and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures.
The film’s narrative centers on a detective unraveling the mystery behind a young boy’s disappearance, embroidered with dialogue that aptly reflects the cosmopolitan flair of its setting.
As the digital crowd watches and waits, one thing is clear: this drama off-screen rivals that of its on-screen counterpart, with Mehta and Netflix at the center of a narrative that vibrantly emphasizes the significance of authenticity in storytelling.
