Traffic Signal (2007)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

The greatest movie ever made..!

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

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..

"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.

Traffic Signal (2007) is the best movie I have seen in a very long time. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, who has taken a social stance on his movies, it is better than any Bollywood of Hollywood effort in the past year.Centred on those on the fringe and making money by begging at a certain traffic stop in Mumbai, it takes viewers on a journey in to what life is really like outside of the sugar coated, glossy depiction in other Bollywood movies. It strays from Bollywood convention but pays subtle homage to the song and dance routines that has made Bollywood a major economic force.The traffic stop is managed by Silsila, who feels at home among the poor on that street. Even bragging that he began working there at just 10 days old. He feels a moral responsibility for those there, seeing that despite being beggars, they are also human beings and have embraced this way of life. Protection is payed by all those working the traffic signal and the money is used to bribe government officials and then rest is given to a local mafioso, Bhaijaan. It also shows viewers how traffic signals are a major underground economy. Where traffic is forced in order to allow for begging from stopped cars.This movie is heartbreaking and enduring in many ways. Firstly, all of the actors are relative unknowns or from the indie circuit in the industry who prove that they have acting chops to outdo any seasoned actor. Secondly, the realistic approach gets through to viewers through clean and subtle directing and cinematography. Thirdly, the characters themselves are simple and in contrast with the rich that they beg from, shows that the human spirit is more alive in the ordinary. This movie takes you in to the lives of beggars, disabled, poor, prostitutes, drug addicts, newbies to the fringe, social workers and shop girls and even children as they try to make their living at the traffic signal. It also shows us the consequences of our actions and how one small action can affect many.This movie doesn't try to make you feel guilty. It doesn't try to preach nor does it try to educate. It is simply a movie about characters on the fringe. That is what makes this movie so striking. It just is. It is just a realistic portrayal that is so incredibly pure because the director doesn't try to make it be about enlightening on purpose. It's a natural and unforced portrayal.Madhur Bhandarkar has done many movies which take on a realistic approach, such as Corporate and Page 3. Perhaps that is why he has won so many awards for his work. What I do know is that Madhur Bhandarkar takes everything that should be different and interesting about Bollywood and actually makes it good.This movie should be India's entry to next year's Oscars, but sadly that probably won't happen as India has a history of choosing their regular fluffy Bollywood films as their official entries. Either way, I urge you to all see this.

After profiling seedy bars (in Chandni Bar), scheming politics (Satta), high society parties (Page 3) and the business circus (Corporate), Madhur Bhandarkar now eyes the Traffic Signal. Well to start with 'Traffic signal' has portrayed the dark side Mumbai gullies .Why? Traffic signal, depicts what the relationship is between the "beggars" of the traffic signal and the politician's. Not only the politicians but also the underworld don. Its not only that about, but what traffic signals shows is how one suffers, lives, smiles, earn's money in these eerie streets of India.Kunal Khemu as 'Silsila' has done an impressive job. Obviously the dark make-up that he wears to show that he is a poor person is shown. Neetu Chandar as Rani has portrayed her character in a very tender and delicate manner. Noorie played by Konkana deserves a very big mention. Her role as a prostitute has been done with passion and complete fluency. Also a mention to the 'lady-boy' gay character who sells himself on the street.Here are oddities to the likes of eunuchs, handicapped and impaired beggars, lepers, street kids, drug addicts, and prostitutes, vendors selling flowers, fruits, sunscreens to sunglasses. Traffic signal is a tale of a person(S) who need not decide what they need to do in live but to decide how to live is these nasty streets .