What Is The Buckingham Murders About?
The premise of The Buckingham Murders in 289 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet suburbs of High Wycombe, a city where ordinary streets mask deeper undercurrents, Jasmeet Bhamra arrives with more than a new badge. A seasoned British‑Indian police officer, she carries the weight of a personal tragedy that has reshaped every facet of her life. The recent loss of her child haunts her steps, turning routine patrols into introspective journeys and forcing her to confront a grief that feels both intimate and impossibly public.
Tasked with a missing‑child investigation, Jasmeet is paired with her new superior, Hardik “Hardy” Patel, and the department’s pragmatic lead, Miller. Their dynamic is a study in contrasts—Patel brings a blend of cultural insight and professional rigor, while Miller offers a steady, no‑nonsense approach to police work. Together they navigate a case that draws them into a close‑knit community of Indian families, each carrying its own secrets and expectations, and into a precinct where personal histories intersect with official duties.
The film’s tone balances the stark realism of a police procedural with an intimate, almost lyrical portrait of mourning and resilience. The muted palette of the English countryside is punctuated by moments of bright cultural vibrancy, reflecting the protagonists’ struggle to reconcile heritage with the pressures of modern law enforcement. As Jasmeet walks the thin line between duty and personal pain, the audience is invited to feel the tension of a detective who must solve a puzzle while simultaneously piecing together her own fragmented sense of purpose.
Against this backdrop, the story unfolds as a meditation on loss, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward when every step is shadowed by the past. The mystery at its heart remains a compelling thread, promising intrigue without revealing the details that lie ahead.
What Happens in The Buckingham Murders?
The complete story of The Buckingham Murders, from the first scene to the last, in 962 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Jasmeet “Jass” Bhamra, Kareena Kapoor Khan, a British-Indian detective, mourns the loss of her child, killed by a drug-addicted shooter. This grief shadows her every move as she takes a transfer to Buckinghamshire and is handed a new case: the disappearance of a young Indian boy named Ishpreet Kohli. The assignment lands with Miller, and the case quickly pulls Jass into a web of family secrets, adoption, and old loyalties. Ishpreet’s adoptive status becomes a crucial thread, pulling at the Kohli family’s fractured history, and Jass learns that the boy’s background is tangled with the very people who should have protected him. Along the way, she uncovers rough edges in the investigation: Patel’s entangled history with Ishpreet’s relatives, including a former drug dealer in the family circle, and a murky past that mirrors the gravity of the crime.
From the moment Jass interviews Ishpreet’s parents, Daljeet and Preeti Kohli, the case deepens. Ishpreet, it turns out, was adopted, a fact that complicates questions of motive and blood ties. The investigation widens as CCTV and cell-phone traces point toward Ishpreet’s last known location—an ordinary park where life and crime intersect in quiet, daybreak light. Patel, the lead detective on the ground, presses his team through the long night, pushing for every clue as dawn approaches. In the park, the team discovers a broken thread of a life interrupted: Ishpreet’s body is found in an abandoned car, a brutal end that shocks the community. The car’s origin leads them to a Muslim man, whose nephew Saquib Chaudhary, a recovering drug addict with his own history of trouble, is seen borrowing the vehicle on the day of the murder. Saquib’s linkage to the local Imam’s son, Naved, deepens the entanglement of personal and religious networks in the investigation.
The plot thickens as investigators chase further leads. Naved reveals a troubling twist: Saquib killed Ishpreet in a violent burst of rage tied to the drug trade Ishpreet had been delivering. Saquib is arrested, but Jass remains unconvinced by the official tale and presses Patel and Miller to see beyond the surface. A sharp confrontation ensues when Patel taunts Jass about her own loss; unable to stay silent, she strikes him and is pulled away from the case, reassigned to a desk. Yet her resolve does not waver. Even from behind a desk, she continues to unthread the case, inching toward a deeper truth that others would prefer to ignore.
Behind the desk, Jass uncovers a new thread: Patel’s sister is in a coma, a victim of drug supply linked to Saquib. This discovery intensifies the stakes and sharpens Jass’s questions about who really benefits from Ishpreet’s death. Her persistence leads her to a prison visit with Saquib, where he offers a confession of sorts. He admits that he and Ishpreet had a confrontation, but insists he did not kill Ishpreet. He also drops a startling claim: Naved and Saquib are lovers, and Naved had struck a deal with Patel to lie about the murder in exchange for Saquib’s release. This revelation prompts Jass to confront Miller with the truth about Patel’s actions, a confrontation that ends in tragedy when Patel shoots and kills himself.
With Saquib released, Jass shifts her focus to a new prime suspect: Daljeet Kohli, Ishpreet’s adoptive father. Daljeet’s life is in distress—his transport business falters, and he has taken out a large life insurance policy on Ishpreet. The investigation reveals a pattern of dysfunction: Daljeet’s affair with Indrani Rai, and a volatile, abusive dynamic with Preeti Kohli. In parallel, Prithvi, Daljeet’s relative, is seen pressuring Preeti, a detail that deepens the motive for violence. The tension culminates when Daljeet murders Prithvi in a fit of rage after witnessing the inappropriate advances.
When Daljeet is arrested, he denies killing his adoptive son. A house search turns up Ishpreet’s missing backpack and a burner phone that Ishpreet used to deal drugs. A phone call traced from the device leads to Preeti, who is suddenly revealed as the mastermind behind Ishpreet’s disappearance. Preeti had manipulated Prithvi to kill Ishpreet and orchestrated a scenario in which Daljeet would murder Prithvi, all to free herself from an abusive marriage. With the case closed, Jass is left to grapple with a personal ache that mirrors the case’s emotional toll: she seeks closure for her own son’s death, a memory that remains unresolved even as a courtroom drama resolves on the surface.
The film threads a tense, reflective mood through its brisk investigation, alternating between the present danger of crime and the quieter, aching wounds of family strife. It explores the way grief can distort motive, how secrets fester in closed doors, and how a determined detective can push through professional obstacles to illuminate the truth, even when that truth comes at a personal cost. The narrative moves through a mosaic of characters who inhabit a shared space of trauma and betrayal, each revelation peeling back another layer of motive, loyalty, and the costs of silence.
- Ishpreet Kohli’s journey is central to the case, and his story threads through every major turning point. Sartaaj Kakkar gives voice to a boy whose life and death catalyze the investigation.
- Daljeet Kohli and Preeti Kohli’s troubled marriage and the larger family dynamics drive the later twists, with Ranveer Brar and Prabhleen Sandhu portraying the figures at the heart of the conflict.
- The web of betrayals expands to include Indrani Rai and the Imam’s circle, where the fragile line between loyalty and gaslighting is tested, with Sarah-Jane Dias among the cast.
- The earlier, raw emotional wound of Jass’s own loss shapes her judgment and resilience, reflected in her relentless pursuit of truth despite personal cost, a thread that binds her to the case long after the initial investigation ends.
The Buckingham Murders Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Jass transfers to Buckinghamshire to take on Ishpreet case” to “Jass seeks personal closure after the case”. 13 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Jass transfers to Buckinghamshire to take on Ishpreet case
Jasmeet "Jass" Bhamra, grieving her child, accepts a transfer to Buckinghamshire to escape her loss and pursue a fresh lead. She is assigned the missing Indian child Ishpreet case by Miller and begins working with DI Hardik "Hardy" Patel. The relocation marks the start of the investigation and Jass's uneasy entry into Patel's orbit.
When:Upon transfer Where:Buckinghamshire
- 2
Ishpreet's adoption revealed during parent interviews
Jass interviews Ishpreet's adoptive parents, Daljeet and Preeti Kohli, uncovering that Ishpreet was adopted and not their biological son. The discovery raises questions about family history and potential hidden tensions. The interview sets the stage for later motives rooted in relationships.
When:First days Where:Police station
- 3
Patel's troubled history with the family emerges
Jass learns that Patel has past ties to the Kohli family, including a relative who was a drug dealer. This revelation hints at possible conflicts of interest and blurred loyalties within the investigation. It complicates Jass's view of Patel as an impartial detective.
When:Early investigation Where:Police briefing room
- 4
Ishpreet's last known location found and search begins
Using CCTV, police identify Ishpreet's last-known location at a park and initiate an overnight search of the area. At dawn, Patel orders the team to rest and ventures into the park with his subordinate Simon. The search intensifies as the case moves toward a critical discovery.
When:Dawn (following overnight search) Where:Park
- 5
Ishpreet's body is found in an abandoned car
The search leads to the discovery of Ishpreet's dead body inside an abandoned car in the park. The case immediately connects to a Muslim man whose nephew, Saquib, is seen borrowing the car on the day of the murder. This ties Saquib to the vehicle and the evolving crime plot.
When:Dawn Where:Park
- 6
Saquib linked to the murder; Naved's involvement revealed
Investigations trace the car to Saquib, a drug addict with history to Patel. Saquib's association with the local Imam's son, Naved, is uncovered. In interviews, Naved reveals that Saquib killed Ishpreet in a fit of rage, leading to Saquib's arrest. Jass remains unconvinced and pushes for the truth.
When:Day Where:Police station
- 7
Jass confronts Patel; a punch ends her case
Jass challenges Patel and Miller, but Patel taunts her about the loss of her own son. In a surge of anger, she punches him, and Miller removes her from the case, moving her to a desk job. The confrontation marks a turning point in Jass's involvement with the case.
When:Later that day Where:Police station
- 8
Jass digs deeper; Patel's sister and Saquib's confession
While at a desk job, Jass learns that Patel's sister is in a coma due to drugs supplied by Saquib, deepening the motive web. She visits Saquib in prison, pressuring him for the truth. He reveals that they had an altercation but did not kill Ishpreet, and that Naved and Saquib are lovers.
When:Days later Where:Prison
- 9
Naved's deal with Patel exposed; Patel's suicide
Naved admits that he struck a deal with Patel to falsely testify against Saquib in exchange for Saquib's release. Jass informs Miller of the deceit, but Patel shoots and kills himself in a final act of despair. The murder-suicide shifts the case's direction and removes Patel from the equation.
When:Moments after confession Where:Miller's office / unspecified location
- 10
Saquib released; Daljeet emerges as new suspect
Saquib is released from prison, and Jass shifts focus to Daljeet Kohli as the new prime suspect. Daljeet, now financially strained and involved in a risky life—having an affair with Indrani—also becomes abusive toward Preeti. The motive web expands beyond Ishpreet's death.
When:Weeks later Where:Daljeet's home / transportation business
Show the other 3 events of The Buckingham Murders Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Daljeet murders Prithvi amid mounting tensions
Daljeet witnesses Prithvi making advances on Preeti and kills him in a fit of rage. The violence adds another layer of tragedy and complicates the Kohli family dynamics. The act sets off a police investigation into Prithvi's death.
When:Event occurred Where:Prithvi's location / Daljeet's residence
- 12
Evidence ties Preeti to the Ishpreet plot; case closes
Police search Prithvi's house and uncover Ishpreet's missing backpack and a burner phone used for drug dealing, with a call traced to Preeti. Preeti is revealed as the mastermind behind Ishpreet's disappearance and as the orchestrator who manipulated Prithvi into killing Ishpreet, while guiding Daljeet to murder Prithvi. The case is closed in a traumatised Jass's mind.
When:After investigations Where:Prithvi's house
- 13
Jass seeks personal closure after the case
With the case closed, Jass is emotionally scarred and struggles to find closure for her own son's death. The resolution leaves her with a lingering sense of unresolved grief. The final moments reflect on the cost of seeking truth.
When:End Where:Jass's home
Who Are the Main Characters in The Buckingham Murders?
9 characters, among them Jasmeet 'Jass' Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan), DI Hardik 'Hardy' Patel (Ash Tandon) and Ishpreet Kohli (Sartaaj Kakkar): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- J'
Jasmeet 'Jass' Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan)
Played by Kareena Kapoor Khan
A grieving British-Indian detective who transfers to Buckinghamshire to investigate Ishpreet Kohli’s disappearance. She is principled, relentless, and unafraid to challenge authority, driven by her loss to seek justice. Her empathy for the vulnerable fuels a fierce pursuit of the truth, even when it risks her career.
- 🎯 Detective
- 🧭 Investigator
- 🕊️ Grief-driven
- DH
DI Hardik 'Hardy' Patel (Ash Tandon)
Played by Ash Tandon
Jass’s superior, a veteran officer with a contentious history with the Kohli family. He taunts Jass and wields his authority to resist the investigation, contributing to a toxic environment. His later actions reveal deeper corruption and personal vendettas within the force.
- 💼 Authority
- 🧩 Corruption
- 🗡️ Rivalry
- IK
Ishpreet Kohli (Sartaaj Kakkar)
Played by Sartaaj Kakkar
The missing boy whose death triggers the investigation. His background as an adoptee and his connections within the local network complicate motives and alibis. Ishpreet’s death becomes the catalyst for exploring family dynamics and crime within the community.
- 🧒 Missing
- 🕵️♂️ Investigation
- 🌍 Community
- DK
Daljeet Kohli (Ranveer Brar)
Played by Ranveer Brar
Ishpreet’s adoptive father, facing financial strain and potential abuse within the family. He becomes entangled in the murder plot surrounding Prithvi, illustrating how desperation and anger can lead to drastic actions. His true motives and actions drive several crucial twists in the case.
- 💔 Family
- 🧨 Violence
- 🧭 Motive
- PS
Preeti Sethi (Prabhleen Sandhu)
Played by Prabhleen Sandhu
Ishpreet’s mother-in-law who manipulates circumstances to escape an abusive marriage. She seduces Prithvi and orchestrates events to influence the case, revealing a calculated use of relationships to achieve her ends. Her manipulation exposes how lies can masquerade as desperation.
- 🗝️ Manipulation
- 🧠 Scheming
- 💃 Deception
- SC
Saquib Chaudhary (Kapil Redekar)
Played by Kapil Redekar
A drug addict whose involvement with Ishpreet’s death is revealed through a web of loyalty and deceit. His relationship with Naved adds a layer of secrecy to the case, and his evolving truth shapes how the investigation unfolds.
- 💉 Addiction
- 🗣️ Confession
- 🧩 Deception
- N(
Naved (Rahul Sidhu)
Played by Rahul Sidhu
Imam’s son who becomes entangled with Saquib. He harbors a closeted relationship and reaches a deal with Patel that affects the murder’s truth. His testimony and secrets influence the direction of the inquiry.
- 🤐 Secret
- 🧭 Loyalty
- 🕊️ Relationships
- IR
Indrani Rai (Sarah-Jane Dias)
Played by Sarah-Jane Dias
Daljeet’s lover, whose involvement hints at broader entanglements beyond Ishpreet’s case. Her presence helps illuminate the personal web surrounding the Kohli family and the larger plot of deceit.
- 💘 Affair
- 🗣️ Whispered secrets
- 🧭 Motive
- P(
Prithvi (Manish Gandhi)
Played by Manish Gandhi
Daljeet’s relative who becomes entangled in the plot, including the sexual advances on Preeti. His actions and the resulting consequences propel the escalation of the murder scheme.
- 🔥 Ambition
- 🗂️ Complications
- 🧪 Risk
Where and When Is The Buckingham Murders Set?
The Buckingham Murders is set in Buckinghamshire and United Kingdom (Contemporary (early 2020s)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary (early 2020s)
The story takes place in the present day, relying on modern policing techniques such as CCTV, surveillance, and formal interviews. It centers on a real-time investigation with ongoing media and public scrutiny. The timeline moves through overnight searches, dawn discoveries, and subsequent investigations that unfold over days.
Where
Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
The film is set in Buckinghamshire, a rural English county known for its rolling countryside and suburban towns. The investigation unfolds across parks, quiet streets, and residential areas, highlighting the contrast between tranquil exteriors and dark undercurrents of crime. The setting emphasizes a contemporary English crime drama environment rather than a urban-center focus.
- 🗺️ Buckinghamshire
- 🏴 England
- 🌳 Rural England
What Are the Themes of The Buckingham Murders?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Truth vs. Corruption, Grief & Trauma and Abuse & Manipulation.
-
01
Truth vs. Corruption
Truth is challenged by hidden agendas and personal loyalties as the investigation uncovers conflicting testimonies. Jass fights to reveal the real killer while powerful figures attempt to shield themselves through lies or silence. The case demonstrates how politics, past relationships, and authority can distort justice. Resolution hinges on relentless inquiry and uncovering the deeper motive behind Ishpreet’s death.
-
02
Grief & Trauma
Jass’s personal grief over her child’s death drives her relentless pursuit of answers. The case stirs raw emotions and forces a confrontation with past trauma. The narrative links personal loss to professional risk, showing how grief fuels resilience while blurring moral lines. The trauma informs character choices and the pressure the investigation faces.
-
03
Abuse & Manipulation
Abuse and manipulation drive crucial plot turns, from domestic violence within the Kohli family to Preeti’s calculated schemes. The story reveals how power dynamics enable deceit and crime, often hidden behind ordinary relationships. Victims and manipulators are intertwined, illustrating how vulnerability can mask dangerous intent. The unraveling shows that control can extend beyond physical harm to strategic manipulation.
-
04
Identity & Secrecy
Characters navigate hidden identities and concealed relationships, complicating loyalties and testimonies. The British-Indian context adds cultural layers to trust and truth, underscoring how personal secrets influence justice. Naved’s closeted relationship with Saquib and Jass’s own cultural stance complicate judgments and disclosures. The truth emerges only when fragile façades are peeled away.
What Kind of Film Is The Buckingham Murders?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and melancholic crime thriller where a detective's personal grief shadows a complex murder investigation, creating a heavy atmosphere of suspense and emotional toll.
- grieving
- tense
- suspenseful
- melancholic
- oppressive
- somber
- crime investigation
- grief and loss
- murder mystery
- family secrets
Content notes: child death, murder, drug abuse, domestic abuse, suicide.
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