RipDelight This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

alyin 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!

beany82 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.

sandhirflora We know very well that there exists a racket or rather a complete mafia in those shady people you get to see a traffic signals but is that system so well defined? I doubt. Another thing, is there only angels that live at signals as depicted here or are there devils too, who sadly you don't see. But further I like to add that among new age directors Madhur Bhandarkar is one person who takes up issues and characters from daily life, and has guts to give them a voice. Sadly this time, that voice is lacking.Over dramatic, too verbose, noisy, too much structured with not much development in storyline till you reach climax are few things that has taken its toll. The result a half- baked product. When you don't have much too say and have no statement to make, this is what happened to even unconventional, offbeat cinema too. Don't just put interesting, relevant characters, but rather craft a screenplay around it, then only things make sense otherwise not. The height here is even an item song to please certain type of audience. . After few scenes, the narrative becomes repetitive. The subtle and sensitive approach towards the subject is not taken. Also film is replete with tele, close shots and in absence of establishment shots, the impact falls. Not every time a narrative that works for "Page three" works in every set up.Nonetheless, there are few plus points. The film is free from any vulgarity and can be watched with family. Few scenes viz. the ones with Ranvir sheorey are nicely done. Madhur Bhandarkar still deserves a pat on shoulder for exploring topics that are away from the vicinity of rotten, commercial cinema.

chaithzzz 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.