Weighted from a 2.9 average · Why?
Incoherent political sermon, despite capable performances.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Buddha in a Traffic Jam is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding the film unable to translate its ambitious political subject matter into coherent or compelling cinema. The few points of qualified praise are directed at individual performances, particularly Anupam Kher and Pallavi Joshi, who are noted as capable despite weak material. Common criticisms include a preposterous and unfocused plot, heavy-handed ideological messaging that overwhelms storytelling, and an inability to argue its political positions with any persuasion or dexterity. Several critics also flag the film as propagandist rather than the balanced political satire it presents itself as.
5 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
The Monk Score is weighted from a plain average of 2.9 · how scores work
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
The plot is preposterous, and by the end of the film, all us critics were laughing in exhausted disbelief. Is this a real movie? Did someone fund this? Is this actually releasing in theatres? In the name of Comrade Jesus, how about a solitary drop of sanity?
Film review ·
'Buddha In A Traffic Jam' is mostly in English which might be a problem for the producer. But it is certainly a one-time watch.
Film review ·
To sum up, a scene from the film summarises our feeling for the film; "We love 'Buddha in a Traffic Jam' but we aren't in love with it".
Film review ·
Quoting from the film, the best thing that can be said about Buddha in a Traffic Jam is that we love the ideas Vivek brings forth but we are not in love with them. It lacks outrage and treads familiar ground.
Film review ·
Buddha In A Traffic Jam is a propagandist film in the garb of a political satire. It preaches more than what it can practice.
Film review ·
The issue with this film is not that it packs in too many issues. It's just that it has too many of its own.
Film review ·
Nonsensical attempt to sound posh by giving it a fancy title and claiming that it tackles subjects like Naxalites in Chattisgarh. If there is an original idea in the film it is that Naxalites are everywhere amongst us, and that they could be anyone: your doctor, your best friend, your banker, your lawyer, government officials and that they are biding their time for a bloodbath on the streets. Howlarious.
Film review ·
Buddha in a Traffic Jam is a serious film that may appeal to a niche audience. If an entertaining light-hearted flick is what you are hoping for, then you may want to give this film a miss. But if you have a keen interest in politics and films that present the blunt truth in an uncompromising manner, you will absolutely love this movie.
Film review ·
It just doesn't have the resolve or dexterity to sway you with an argument or a stand. The supporting performances by the likes of Mahie Gill and Pallavi Joshi are listless. Even connoisseurs of art cinema will admit that after a point, Buddha just seems all up in the air. The only thing it can provoke in its viewer is ennui. Another one of those well intentioned movies that go absolutely nowhere.
Film review ·
Agnihotri makes it all-too-evident that the film is a treatise on a clash of ideologies in this country, structuring his screenplay in chapters and an attempt to be balanced. However, by the time the film ends, it's very clear that it is meant to be a vehicle for the liberal variant of right-wing thought.
Film review ·
Even though Arunoday can barely pass off as a young student in his early 20s, he is earnest and gives a decent performance. Kher yet again shows his brilliance as an actor as you want to believe him even when he is spouting the most unbelievable, silly lines in the film. Joshi reminds us of the naturally talented actress that she is, and one wishes to see more of her.
Film review ·
Fortunately, Agnihotri isn't as skilled a propagandist as Leni Riefenstahl and more a modern-day Don Quixote. As he sallies forth against the windmills of his imagination, his political and economic prescriptions for a better India get the better of his storytelling. And to think that it all began with a pile of unsold pots.
From our readers
4 ratings · user score 2.8
मैं हिंगलिश में review लिखना पसंद करूँगा, उम्मीद है acceptable होगा | 'buddha in a traffic jam' कोई बॉलीवुड मसाला फिल्म नहीं है | इसलिए इसको boxoffice collection के तराज़ू में नहीं तौला जा सकता | पहली शर्त इसे एक भारतीय नागरिक की नज़र से देखने की जरुरत है | ये फिल्म इस बात को समझने की एक छोटी सी कोशिश करती है की दरअसल नक्सली आन्दोलन, कम्युनिस्ट, माओवादी, तथाकथित बुद्धिजीवी, मीडिया, राजनेता, पुलिस, NGO और छात्र राजनीति के बीच क्या चल रहा है और उसका आदिवासियों के उत्थान से वाकई कितना सरोकार है | कहानी कहने के अंदाज़ को विभिन्न chapters में divide किया गया है और interval के बाद जब सारे तार जुड़ना शुरू होते है तो हमारा सामना एक छोटे से सच से होता है जो मानव जाति के लिए नया नहीं है | सदियों से ऐसा होता आया है और अनंत काल तक होता रहेगा | मजेदार बात ये है की शायद फिल्म की शूटिंग और कहानी रोहित वेमुला, कन्हैया, JNU etc के developments के पहले लिखी गई होगी लेकिन फिल्म देख के लगता है की देश में जो चल रहा है उसकी असली वजह क्या है वो कुछ कुछ समझ आ रहा है | cinematography average है | फिल्म में माँ - बहन की गलियां और F**K का काफी इस्तेमाल है इस लिए आप किस के साथ फिल्म देखने जा रहे है इस का ध्यान रखें | भारत में हम शायद इन गालियों को रोज़मर्रा की ज़िन्दगी में बखूबी इस्तेमाल करते है, सुनते है, लेकिन फिर भी पारिवारिक लिहाज़ और शर्म जिंदा है और शायद हम इस तरह की भाषा परिवार के साथ बैठ कर सुनना पसंद ना करे | कुछ scenes भद्दे लगे, विक्रम (the hero) का वेश्या के साथ वाला scene 1980s का स्टाइल वाला लगा | लाल लाइट, wide angle closeup..| एक बार फिल्म ज़रूर देखें | समझे की क्या वाकई जो विवेक अग्निहोत्री कह रहे है ऐसा ही कुछ देश में चल रहा है या कन्हैया और कम्युनिस्ट वाकई दूध के धूले है | फिल्म क्रिटिक्स की एकतरफा राय पर ध्यान ना दें | अधिकतर समीक्षक जो इस फिल्म को बड़े भारी मन से बमुश्किल 3 - 4 स्टार और कुछएक तो 0 star दे रहें है वे पूर्वाग्रह से ग्रस्त है | वे समीक्षक कहलाने के लायक नहीं है | फिल्म देखने के बाद तो आप इन critics को भी नक्सली मान सकते हो | जो system में हर तरफ दीमक की तरह फैले है और देश को सफाचट कर रहे है |
Credits
Anupam KherProfessor Ranjan Batki
Arunoday SinghVikram Pandit
Mahie GillCharu Siddhu
Pallavi JoshiSheetal Batki
Vivek VaswaniHindi films like Buddha in a Traffic Jam
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