Traffic Signal

"Traffic Signal " delves into the lives of beggars and street vendors, highlighting how their existence is upended by the presence of traffic signals, the oppressive burden of an imposed, non-existent tax demanded by a gang leader, and the devastating impact on their daily lives when a flyover is constructed over the road where the traffic signal once regulated.

The narrative is truly compelling and kept me engaged throughout. Though the story at times feels like moving blindly forward into uncertainty, this effect is clearly intentional. The title Traffic Signal serves as a metaphor, illustrating the harsh realities faced by those living in slums, struggling to survive through begging and small-scale trade.

Kunal Khemu consistently chooses to engage with distinctive and thought-provoking projects, and this film continues that trend.

What is truly striking is that I regard this movie as superior to many conventional Bollywood films, as it consciously avoids the repetitive, formulaic patterns so common today. Despite knowing that the film might not achieve commercial success, the filmmakers proceeded undeterred, driven by a commitment to conveying a meaningful message to the audience.

Definitely should watch this piece.

Watched it last weekend. I don't remember the last time I had such a headache after watching a movie. On a Saturday night for the second show the hall had like 25 people and 7 walked out after interval. I thought Madhur's AAN - Men At Work was far more entertaining than this debacle! he he Madhur certainly didn't have to end a terrific trilogy with this lame movie. Technically the movie is brilliant and everyone's acted well. But Kunal Khemu certainly falls miles short in emotional scenes. Ranbir Shorey is a treat to watch and did I fall in love with 'Sunami'! That boy was brilliant. I am a great admirer of Sudhir Mishra's 'Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin' and his brilliant 'Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi' which probably is Indian cinema's first political epic saga is one of my all time favourite Hindi movies. But with all the dreamy eyes in the world he cant even if it bludgened him on his face! While trying to establish shades of diaspora of characters in-depth Madhur I guess somewhere forgot an anchoring spinal story. On the whole I don't have to spend my weekend with my girlfriend cribbing in a multiplex paying through my nose to suffer a hyped docudrama. I've seen many documentaries which are better paced and interesting than Traffic Signal.

"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.

May be my expectations were too high after watching chandni bar and page-3. The effort was no where to be seen through-out this movie.

Having a good plot is not enough. The script was far below PAR, a lot of the scenes don,t glue together( most of them look to be squeezed in between)

None of the actors were able to make an impression, except for konkana sen . I am still not able to digest madhur using "bollywood" style melodrama, in desperate attempt to create some effect on the viewer. kunal's dialogue delivery was mediocre, the scene when kunal talks to his folks while being taken away by the police, is the worst of all.

spare your self!

The movie "Traffic signal" was a good plot as you mentioned. But I would rather say it lacked the director's extract of every individual cast in it. Moreover, movie could have been well played with raw'ness it actually had in it. Director had tried to show almost every possible incident that we come across in a day to day traffic signal but lost his focus on the deepness of the plot . Over all I would say " it was almost over killed by too much but saved only by its subject ". The story could have been handled better if it was in safe hands.

I will rate it 2.5/5. Just for the core subject and for the actors struggling to make use of their best opportunity in this movie.

Dx..