In an exclusive chat with Sky News, Bollywood’s leading lady, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared her hopes that her new film Buckingham Murders will spark a sense of unity between Muslims and Hindus. The renowned actress has crafted a murder mystery set against the backdrop of recent Hindu-Muslim unrest in Leicester. This tense setting, Kapoor Khan reveals, is a subtle way for her to urge audiences towards peace amidst rising sectarian violence in India.
“We all belong to one human race,” she passionately told Sky News. “We are under the same sun, standing on the same earth – where is the room for any issues?”
As she delved deeper into her beliefs, Kapoor Khan emphasized her strong faith in peace. “When you watch Buckingham Murders,” she said, “you’ll see we’re subtly emphasizing the importance of unity.” This film, which unfolds in High Wycombe, marks Kapoor Khan’s debut as a working producer.
The plot follows the journey of a grieving mother and police detective Jaspreet Bhamra, played by Kapoor Khan. She works tirelessly on a missing person’s case involving an Indian teenager with the main suspect being of Pakistani Muslim origin.
The ethno-religious tensions that plagued Leicester last year – marked by violence, riots and marches – have been subtly woven into the storyline to enhance its authenticity. But Kapoor Khan insists this was not intended to make a broader political statement.
Kapoor Khan herself hails from a Hindu background and is married to fellow Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who is Muslim. Their interfaith marriage has unfortunately invited online abuse over time concerning their sons’ names – Taimur and Jehangir – which are typically Muslim names.
Hansal Mehta, the director behind Buckingham Murders, shared with Sky News that while his project explores multiple themes, at its core it is a plea for peace and empathy. According to him, Hindu-Muslim tensions have forever been an undercurrent in society, hidden until moments of conflict bring these deep-seated prejudices to the surface.
Commenting on the current global climate, Mehta lamented, “We live in very polarised times. The religious divide is becoming wider and wider.” He voiced his concern over this polarization becoming a tool to manipulate people and maintain power worldwide. As a filmmaker, he strives to connect human emotion to this politically volatile world through his work. His simple solution? A little bit of empathy.
Buckingham Murders is set for a cinema release early next year.