Silsila (Kunal Khemu) a young orphan, who was born and who took his first tiny step at the signal is now its manager. For him the Signal is his workplace and a home where he lived. He's a sensitive soul with a heart of gold who considers the people like his family. He loves all those working at the signal, which in a way is his family but would spare nobody when it comes to business. He has a mentor, named Jaffar, who also is the collector of his region. Both he and Jaffar work for the local Mafioso, Haji and would even lay down their lives for him. Inherent in the social structure, lies a nexus between the local Mafia and Politicians, though at that level Silsila is almost nonexistent. Yet by a force of circumstance Silsila gets drawn into the bigger game and finds himself to be responsible for the annihilation of his own world, something to which he's dedicated his life.
Silsila is in love with a young girl (Neetu Chandra) who owns a small embroidery business in the city. An engineer with honest values arrives to prevent a flyover from being constructed. Silsila is then asked by Haji to eliminate him. Silsila agrees and finishes him off only to realize that the builder and politician plan to displace the street children. Now with the help of the children, Silsila takes on the corrupt system. His deeds are irreversible and he would most certainly not be able to get things back to normal.
Director Madhur Bhandarkar's choice of the subject is laudable, although one wishes that there were ample dramatic moments in the narrative. Besides, the subject material will have its share of admirers and adversaries. Yet, there's no denying that the film has some brilliant moments. The Ranveer-Konkona track [including Ranveer's sad demise], the entire track of Manoj Joshi [right till his assassination] and the track of a beggar and the rich Gujarati businessman [with a turning point in a multiplex] are superb. From the writing point of view [writers: Sachin Yardi and Madhur Bhandarkar], the penultimate 25 minutes are captivating, but the film ends on an abrupt note. Ideally, there should've been a strong culmination to the tale.
Kunal Khemu looks the character and emotes his part with admirable precision. Konkona Sen Sharma breathes life in her role. Ranveer Shorey steals the show with a superb portrayal. Upendra Limaye is first-rate. Neetu Chandra does reasonably well. D. Santosh is able. Well-known director Sudhir Mishra leaves a mark as an actor. Manoj Joshi is perfect.
On the whole, TRAFFIC SIGNAL to observe that his films have gone progressively below par.