Traffic Signal

I think Madhur has excelled once again with traffic signal. Be warned this is a not your regular Bollywood movie but a very different affair. Unlike Page3 and Corporate this one walks one the edge of being a serious documentary which is almost realistic and immensely enjoyable. It does make you think how fortunate you are for not being where the characters in the movie are. Having stayed in Mumbai for almost 25 years before moving to the states, I can really appreciate the work that has been put into it. Seeing foreign locales in every second movie that comes offshore (I am sick of it), it is nice relief to see Mumbai (even if it is elaborate stage) at its raw best (or worst?). Excellent acting by everyone but a special mention of Ranbeer Sheorey(I hope I got the name right). You can almost feel the character and feel relieved that it is just a movie. I think this guy deserves stronger roles similar to this. he is by far one of the most talented new faces that has come to Bollywood. I am trying my best to not give away any of the movie because I want people to be hit by it when you see it. To make long story short - you will not feel that you wasted your money if you see this movie in theater or at home. It is much better than many of the movies that you must have seen in recent times. Madhur - take a bow - you have more talent in you than you know - just needs a little bit more polishing and then you on par with any of the Hollywood directors. Highly recommended - stark reality !!!

"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.

I hesitated to purchase this movie for fear of too much realism (or over-the-top melodrama), but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it really had a lot of heart, while showing a whole side of street life that's usually invisible to the passerby.

I didn't feel that the subject was being 'candy-coated' either -- much of the awfulness and heartbreak of such an existence is graphically included, and the director stated that they 'did their homework' in bringing the realities of it to the screen. Kunal Khemu is a very talented actor, so very expressive, and not afraid to show emotion. I recommend it to anyone who wants a glimpse into this part of Indian society, and maybe a partial understanding of what this type of life is like for so many.

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..