Top critic
NDTV
Film review ·
Traffic, both the original and its Hindi version, will forever bear testimony to the magnitude of the loss that Pillai's untimely death represents for cinema. This is a fitting swan song: an unmissable film.


A noble true story, but sluggish pacing and sentiment blunt its impact.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Traffic is sharply divided, with scores ranging from outright dismissal to strong recommendation. Several critics praised the film's ensemble performances — particularly from veteran actors — and found the underlying true story of human kindness compelling enough to recommend a watch. However, a significant number found the execution lacking, citing a bloated pace, mawkish sentimentality, loss of urgency after the interval, and a failure to generate the emotional or thriller-driven tension the premise promised. A recurring note is that the Hindi version loses the energy of the original Malayalam film.
8 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 22 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Traffic, both the original and its Hindi version, will forever bear testimony to the magnitude of the loss that Pillai's untimely death represents for cinema. This is a fitting swan song: an unmissable film.
Top critic
Film review ·
This enterprise, bloated by needless saccharine and background music, has its moments but stays, overall, strictly serviceable.
Film review ·
Traffic, both the original and its Hindi version, will forever bear authentication to the enormousness of the loss that Pillai's untimely death represents for cinema. The goosebumps that shall rise and the pace of your heart beat are worth every second of his thriller. The unforeseen circumstances grip on to your attention so tight that you wouldn't want to move an inch. This one, you cannot miss, go grab your seats now.
Film review ·
Traffic does not preach or boast but it touches hearts. Watch it for the emotional connect, and of course, the wonderful performances.
Film review ·
As we go through our humdrum living getting accustomed to regularity and blind to the unfamiliar, a story like Traffic gives us a reason to reflect on this extraordinary world that we live in. That is perhaps worth the dough you shell out at the box-office.
Film review ·
The characters and key-plot situations are seamlessly interwoven. There are some predictable playing-to-the-gallery religious sentiments introduced to get the desired results. But this can be overlooked because at it's core, this is a well-intentioned film with fine performances from its ensemble cast.
Film review ·
At the idea level, the makers have partially succeeded in ensuring that the film keeps you at the edge of your seat.
Film review ·
This could have been a far better film, with better sense of emergency and tighter editing.
Film review ·
TRAFFIC will appeal to very limited audiences and will have a tough run at the box-office.
Film review ·
Traffic is a disappointing movie which fails to justify the true events. Boring, lengthy and more focused on a drama rather than the core topic of organ transplant in traffic conditions. Apart from Manoj Bajpayee's sharp performance, the film has nothing to offer.
Film review ·
Organ donation is a noble cause that this film picks up to endorse. But the superficial focus on the humanitarian act only draws attention away from it.
Film review ·
For a remake of a Malayalam movie this one tells the tale based on a true story, but it becomes so tedious because it tries too hard to infuse the TV drama pace of Kiefer Sutherland's 24 and ends up being tedious.
Film review ·
Traffic doesn't address its ethics or anything profound. It doesn't aspire to be anything beyond a bumpy ride to half-hearted glory. And in that it is entirely successful.
Film review ·
Traffic is inspired by a real-life incident, but the filmmaker has turned an interesting idea into a mawkish drama and a stretched thriller.
Film review ·
There is very little to appreciate in Traffic. However, if you are a fan of over-the-top thrillers, this one may appeal to you.
Film review ·
Despite it's minor flaws Traffic is a film that deserves attention and an audience. It's a fantastic story of human spirit. It should be able to inspire every individual to think and find the heart to help out others in times of need. It's just the sort of film that makes the world seem like a better place. It's a must watch for sure.
Film review ·
The road to cinematic achievement is lined with films that made it to the interval mark and then were ruined by their own contrivances. Traffic is a case study in what not to do with your story after the half-way post.
Film review ·
A film like this should have been about the moments and emotions the characters feel during the journey. But the screenplay chooses filmi twists — including one slightly twisted narrative whose resolution is unbelievably tame — over these.
Film review ·
...the essence of the original – and the reason it worked with audiences – has been lost. There's none of the energy and drive in the Hindi Traffic.
Film review ·
The film's tells the story in a straightforward, simple manner. The execution is not sharp and technically impressive. The acting is superb by the veterans, but shaky by the younger crowd. Still, the film is worth a watch for the extraordinary story. A story that actually encompasses the scope of human kindness. And the fact that the film is inspired by true events makes it that much special!
Film review ·
'Traffic' wears thin, feels rushed. There is neither much of an emotional tug nor an edge-of-the-seat urgency that the film promised to deliver.
Film review ·
The director of Traffic, one of Malayalam cinema's big names, died prematurely a little over two months ago. This film is a reminder of what Rajesh Pillai had the potential to achieve had he lived longer. But it is not just in the honour of his memory that Traffic should be watched. It is too good a film to be missed.
From our readers
3 ratings · user score 6.3
The 105-minute Traffic plays out like a thriller, with each second that elapses invoking the ticking of a real clock. Traffic is made doubly riveting by an eclectic bunch of fine actors led by Manoj Bajpayee in the role of Ramdas Godbole, a traffic constable suspended from service for accepting a bribe.
The film is a remake of 2011 Malayalam movie based on a real life incident in Chennai when a special corridor was created to transport a heart from one hospital to another. At the idea level, the makers have partially succeeded in ensuring that the film keeps you at the edge of your seat. However, the scenes where the constable is seen exiting the city with the heart on the back seat isn't executed well. Read full review at deccan chronicle
Credits
Jimmy ShergillCity Police Commissioner
Divya DuttaWife of superstar
Parambrata Chatterjee
Prosenjit ChatterjeeSuperstar
Sachin KhedekarVishal singh's father
Richa PanaiCardiac surgeon's wife
Manoj BajpayeeGodbole - Traffic police constable
Jishnu
Kitu GidwaniVishal Singh's mother
Divya UnniManoj Bajpayee's wife
Nikita ThukralVishal Singh's girl friend
Amol ParasharVishal singh friend
Vishal SinghJournalist trainee
KaveriCardiac surgeon's sisterMore Hindi films