"Documentary styled Bollywood Movie" Madhur Bhadarkar has created a genre in Bollywood (pity there is no one yet who contributes to it). He does slice-and-dice of an industry and shows it inside out leaving the audience "begging" for more.
Traffic Signal treads the same path as Page 3. It gives an insight into the lives of beggars in India and the nexus/ cartel that we thought never exists! Just like any other corporate industry, it showcases the opportunities, threats, do-and-don't's, the hardships, the middle-men and the kingpin. It has a sugary-romance (reality check on Yash Raj movies) and an upright officer fighting for justice (typical Bollywood!).
Kunal Khemu gives his best shot. The ring-leader is in gym-toned body while the beggars are malnutritioned. Explains why!
Neetu Chandra does leave much impact though she had an opportunity of lifetime.
Konkana Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey need no words for their performance. They are absolutely spot-on and probably the most convincing characters.
Upendra Limaye (a Madhur's regular) was miscast this time around.
Nassar Abdullah reprises his Page 3 character once again.
Sudhir Mishra, sorry but you weren't the right choice. Mahesh Manjarekar probably?
There are a few character artistes in Bollywood noted for their typical, distinguished, one track performance. Razak Khan, Makrand Deshpande and Bobby Darling come to Top of Mind recall.
Manoj Joshi is as usual dependable.
The inspector puts up a authentic performance (Mukesh Tyagi?).
Next time you stop by the Traffic Signal, your eyes will not see the same.
