Traffic Signal Movie Review

Madhur Bhandarkar has a penchant for stories that expose different aspects of modern society. And he imbues his movies with an element of realism. After the hard-hitting  ‘Corporate’ and ‘Page 3’, the unconventional filmmaker completes his trilogy with ‘Traffic Signal’, which attempts to take you into the world of people making a living on traffic signals.

Begging is big business. There’s a well oiled network that works in tandem at traffic signals. Unkempt thin toddlers are in demand. For they fetch pity-n-mercy. A street further, perky sex worker Noorie (Konkona Sen Sharma) is facing competition from gigolos who are eating into her business. She can’t stand anyone showing sympathy. Not even friendly drug addict Dominic (Ranveer Sheorey) who is a beggar of a different class. For, he is an English speaking ‘Software Engineer’ who has lost his wallet.

Traffic Signal’ moves forward on the steam of the ‘Nukkad’ like episodes of these nondescript characters. How the builder lobby affects the plight of these dwellers forms the rest of the film. At the end of it all, you are left with little rag picker Chinnaswami who keeps calling the Tsunami relief camp in Chennai hoping to get some news about his family swept away in the disastrous calamity. He spends everything he earns on such phone calls, determined to hear a ‘good news’. Maybe some day. Another kid spends a fortune of his earnings on buying creams that promise to make you fair and lovely. Alas he ends up throwing mud at the false promises of the cream manufacturers.

The main culprit is the weak script and screenplay. After a point of time the slow proceedings start boring. Everything becomes predictable. The do-gooder ‘Khaadi’ reminds you of Atul Kulkarni’s journalist in ‘Page 3’. But here he looks superficial as he picks up the national flag on the Independence Day. Too stereotypical. The ending seemss too abrupt and unconvincing. The movie does not drive any message home.

‘Traffic Signal’ makes an impression due to a few good performances and some neat sequences. But as a whole, it’s not a film that makes you go wow! Although the next time you stop at a traffic signal it will sure make you remember the film!

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