Buddha in a Traffic Jam

Anupam Kher acted well. but do not expect 'saransh' performance here in this movie. he is a professor or recruiter(Gabbar kind of). Pallavi Joshi was exceptional. Arunoday Singh puts up a decent performance as a young revolutionary top college kid who steps up against the exploitation of poor innocent tribal people in the name of fight for equality of the same people. The movie shows how people under the mask of Marx-Lenin left ideology and devil of corruption slowly eating our nation. Due to bitter truth shown in the movie none of distributed yet agreed for commercial release of film. Movie has been screened at over 30 film festivals. and has won many of awards. although the movie was removed from the scheduled list at National Film Festival as someone is ensuring that people do not watch it. This will clear up some of 'what who why' in the recent JNU incident. Inspired from Agnihotri's own life, "Buddha In A Traffic Jam", dealing with corruption and Maoism, is set in a business school where a professor and a student, who is set to create a revolution.

Undoubtly a must watch parallel cinema which is rare now a days.

"Corruption is an economic stimulant!! It's a catalyst for growth!!! It is like a tonic for an economy!! " The Naxalite movement began in 1967 with an uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal, and was led by Charu Majumdar, who advocated for Mao's doctrine. The movement later led to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Ref: Brittanica). The Maoist insurgency in India remains a significant challenge for the government. Between 2008 and 2013, 2,344 civilians, including adivasis (tribals), were killed in Naxalite-related violence, between 2013 and 2017, 1,441 adivasis were killed in Naxalite attacks and between 2018 and 2022, 542 adivasis were killed in Naxalite-related violence, However, the actual number could be higher, as many cases go unreported or are not documented properly. (Ref: NCST) In today's digital era, where social media platforms shape our opinions and influence our actions, a chilling tale of unwitting entanglement unfolds. An IIT graduate, pursuing his management degree, finds himself ensnared in the complex web of Maoist ideology without his knowledge or consent.

The movie directed by Vivek Agnihotri falls short of its potential. Some superfluous scenes overshadow its message, convincing performances by the cast but they fail to bring depth and nuance to the characters. Despite its timely and relevant theme, it loses its momentum in the second half, failing to capitalize on its thought-provoking premise. Film's potential to spark meaningful conversations and reflections is somewhat left unfulfilled! However, it is still worth a watch - just keep your expectations in check.

This is an eye opener movie.. which shows the actual time and present era of India.. a good direction by Vivek Agnihotri.nice screen play and a unique mathod of story telling ,hard hitting dailogs by writers of the movie,good music by Rohit Sharma. background music is complementing with the screen play,outstanding performance by the starcast..Anupam Kher,Arunoday singh; Mahi Gill,great come back of Pallavi Joshi. real story with real characters are indicating the actual and real scenerio of present India which is highly appriciated. now as a youth of India after watching this movie has to take our stand and to take step towords revolution.i m with Buddha and proud to b a part of revolution by watching this movie...... MUST WATCH

Director Vivek Agnihotri's political drama Buddha In A Traffic Jam attempts to make you believe that uprooting the 'Left fraternity' is need of the hour, and perhaps the biggest challenge before the next generation, which wants to uplift the poor rather than glorify poverty.

Buddha in a traffic jam could arguably be the first movie falling under the 'parallel cinema' category which does not romanticize with the 'Left'. Vivek Agnihotri appears to be antidote to the narrative of Neo- realism which has been established over the years by the likes of Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, etc. And the flawless Anupam Kher looks to champion the cause of the Right, which Balraj Sahni did for the Left.

The title of the movie does not give out much of the storyline. But it is not difficult to guess that the name is in fact, a metaphor; it is not just unusual but conveys a deeper message. This movie is about how a smart management student studying in one of the biggest B-schools in India and the world, with fresh and noble ideas, gets entangled in the murky world of politics and corruption. The movie tries to expose the sinister nexus between the Naxals, NGOs, academia and the acclaimed scholars and their motives and does it in a quite unabashed way. It explores how students in certain universities are systematically brainwashed to become intellectual terrorists.

The movie also examines the themes of moral policing, campus politics, plight of the adivasis living in tribal areas and the middlemen who eat up all the money before it reaches the intended recipients. The movie pokes its viewers by questioning whether India, a young nation ridden with corruption and poverty, can indeed become a superpower with its never-ending fight between socialism and capitalism.

The protagonist of the movie, Vikram Pandit, played beautifully and confidently by Arunoday Singh stands for Buddha, a learned person who has ideas and the zeal to bring about a change in the society. But he can't really attain enlightenment because he is stuck in the traffic jam of bribery, dishonesty, socialism, capitalism, the system and the establishment. Anupam Kher plays the economics professor, Prof. Batki in a very understated but effective manner and the range of emotions he shows in the movie look so effortless. Pallavi Joshi and Mahi Gill play their characters with grace and poise, just what the film needed.

A movie such as this is hard to release in India; finding the distributors is a nightmare. Small budgets don't allow the movie to be strongly marketed; it deters the film from reaching all its target viewers. A must watch for all students, their teachers, the intellectuals and the establishment, this film is indeed one of the most hard-hitting movies to come out so far this year. When Vivek Agnihotri in a response to an answer said, "India needs freedom from mediocrity, inefficiency and incompetence", I couldn't agree more. Kudos to the director who has dared to make a film on such a topic with utmost passion and sincerity. I hope this jewel does not get lost in the traffic jam of Indian cinema as another fine movie which couldn't reach its audience.