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{{Lead rewrite|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Buddha in a Traffic Jam
| image = Buddha in a Traffic Jam.jpeg
| caption = Official release poster of ''Buddha in a Traffic Jam''
| director = [[Vivek Agnihotri]]
| writer = Vivek Agnihotri
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Suresh Chukapalli
* Vivek Agnihotri
* Sharad Patel
* Shreyanshi Patel
* Pranay Chokshi
* Ravi Agnihotri
* (Supervising Producer)
* Vikram Gupta
* (Associate Producers)
* Dream Cube
* Sandeep Goel
* Abhishek Mohunta
* Pritika Idnani
* Ritesh Patel
}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Anupam Kher]]|[[Arunoday Singh]]|[[Mahie Gill]]|Anchal Dwivedi|[[Pallavi Joshi]]|}}
| cinematography = [[Attar Singh Saini]]
| editing = Sattyajit Gazmer
| music = [[Rohit Sharma (composer)|Rohit Sharma]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* Phoenix Multidimensions
* Dream Cube
* [[Friday Night Productions]]
* [[SP Cinecorp]]
* Vivek Agnihotri Creates
}}
| distributor = Carnival Motion Pictures
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2014|||Mumbai International|2016|05|13}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = {{unbulleted list|Hindi|English}}
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Buddha in a Traffic Jam''''' is a 2016 Indian [[political thriller]] film written and directed by [[Vivek Agnihotri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/convincing-producers-for-non-star-film-difficult-vivek-agnihotri/|title=Convincing producers for non-star film difficult: Vivek Agnihotri|date=7 April 2016|publisher=}}</ref> The film released nationwide on 13 May 2016.

Although widely panned by critics for its propaganda, the film narrates a tale of inter-meddling of academia with corruption and [[maoism]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/plot-thickens-at-jadavpur-university-clashes-over-movie-screening/story-AsFnMIVYmBzYEK8e0g7JQL.html|title=Plot thickens at Jadavpur University, clashes over movie screening|date=2016-05-07|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>
== Plot ==

Vikram Pandit ([[Arunoday Singh]]) is a happy-go-lucky management student from a business school in India. He becomes an overnight sensation after a successful social media campaign against the radical fundamentalism of moral policing in India. Little did Vikram know that he was about to become a part of a plot that would risk his life and the nation. He gets entangled between two facets of India—Socialism and Capitalism, both of which are deeply rooted in isolated corners of the country.

Somewhere deep within the jungles, flagrant conspirators were gearing up to maim the Country. They had established links with the patrician society. Vikram's internet campaign pulls him into a very deep web of conspiracy.

The film revolves around Vikram's survival in the sinister designs of the establishment.

== Cast ==
*[[Arunoday Singh]] as Vikram Pandit<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/544072|title=Buddha In A Traffic Jam 2016 Movie News, Wallpapers, Songs & Videos|publisher=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref>
*[[Mahi Gill]] as Charu Siddhu
*[[Anupam Kher]] as Professor Ranjan Batki
*[[Pallavi Joshi]] as Sheetal Batki, wife of Ranjan Batki.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/quick-five-column-pallavi-joshi/article6594742.ece|title=Back after a break|last=Tankha|first=Madhur|date=2014-11-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
*[[Vivek Vaswani]]
*Anchal Dwivedi
*[[Gopal K Singh]] as Naxal chief
*Indal Singh as Nanhe Singh, political leader

== Production ==

=== Development ===
Nisha Susan of [[Pink Chaddi Campaign]] fame recalled someone from [[Indian School of Business]], claiming to work at a film incubator having emailed her a few years back, about a prospective film centred on her campaign.<ref name=":12" /> The plot went (roughly):<ref name=":12" /> <blockquote>A young idealistic student is in a bar, where a bunch of right-wing goons assault girls. The student vanquishes the goons and follows up with a Facebook campaign against misogyny, which commands considerable fame. He is subsequently approached by the Naxals who convert and ask him to mould the urban youth in Maoist ideology; by the virtue of his gained fame and charisma.</blockquote> The part about Naxals was a creative addition, and Susan had replied that while he was free to make a movie about the themes, she found it surprising that a campaign which was run by numerous women, in reality, was to be run by a single man in the film.<ref name=":12" /> He replied that a woman-run campaign was apparently ''not'' realistic.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=http://theladiesfinger.com/buddha_arunodaya/|title=Everything About Me & Arunoday Singh that You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask|date=2016-05-17|website=The Ladies Finger|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', Vivek said that while he was delivering a lecture at [[Indian School of Business]] about Naxal influence in academia, the students suggested to sketch out a 10-minute short film.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Neither-left-nor-right/article14244082.ece|title=Neither left, nor right|last=Dundoo|first=Sangeetha Devi|date=2016-04-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> That idea gradually morphed into the thoughts of producing a full-fledged feature film.<ref name=":0" /> Agnihotri has asserted of the film to be modeled on his own life<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-passed-by-censors-without-any-cuts-director-vivek-agnihotri/|title='Buddha in a Traffic Jam' passed by censors without any cuts: Director Vivek Agnihotri|date=13 April 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Nowhere-in-India-do-students-behave-the-way-they-did-at-JU-Vivek-Agnihotri/articleshow/52158988.cms|title=Nowhere in India do students behave the way they did at JU: Vivek Agnihotri|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> though one of his co-producers has denied it.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/|title=Sabki Dhulai|website=Newslaundry|language=en-UK|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

Vivek and the students went on a drive to collect funds before meeting [[Suresh Chukkapalli]] who agreed to produce it.<ref name=":0" /> Vivek felt that convincing producers to support a non-star content-driven film was difficult.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/convincing-producers-for-non-star-film-difficult-vivek-agnihotri/|title=Convincing producers for non-star film difficult: Vivek Agnihotri|date=2016-04-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref>

=== Casting ===

=== Filming ===
The title was chosen as a metaphor alluding to the commotion that engulfs the students of various universities.<ref name=":0" /> Around eighty per cent of the film was shot at Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad<ref name=":0" /> and the total budget was about five crore INR.<ref name=":4" />

== Soundtrack ==
[[Pallavi Joshi]] made her singing debut in the film with the song ''Chand Roz'', a [[ghazal]] written by [[Faiz Ahmad Faiz]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/pallavi-joshi-makes-her-singing-debut-in-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-2776275/|title=Pallavi Joshi makes her singing debut in 'Buddha In A Traffic Jam'|date=2016-04-29|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

== Tour and release ==

=== Certification ===
The [[Central Board of Film Certification]] passed the film without any cuts.<ref name=":2" /> Agnihotri claimed that certain objectionable content including the likes of extreme language and extreme sex scenes were allowed to stay as the board members were sympathetic to the message of the film.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/in-ju-there-is-everything-except-education-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-director-vivek-agnihotri-2775994.html|title='In JU, there is everything except education': 'Buddha in a Traffic Jam' director Vivek Agnihotri- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=2016-05-11|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref>

=== University tour and controversies ===
Reportedly, whilst many distributors initially promised to distribute the film, many later backed out on grounds of the controversial topic.<ref name=":0" /> Barjatya productions came to the aid<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/100416/barjatyas-bails-vivek-agnihotri-s-buddha-out-of-a-jam.html|title=Barjatyas bails Vivek Agnihotri's 'Buddha' out of a 'Jam'|last=Thakkar|first=Mehul S.|date=2016-04-10|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> but later withdraw their offer. He then chose to tour across different colleges and universities across the nation and screen the film; due to an alleged lack of marketing capital.<ref name=":0" /> The film premiered at [[IIT Bombay]] on 6 April 2016.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Buddha-in-a-Traffic-Jam-premiered-at-IIT-Bombay/articleshow/51728703.cms|title='Buddha in a Traffic Jam' premiered at IIT Bombay|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-03-16}}</ref> These screening of the films with the help of political unions, who have had a reputation for instigating violence,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/politics/2017/02/23/delhi-university-ramjas-college-not-alone-abvp-has-history-of-violence-like-rohith-vemula-jnu-kanhaiya-kumar|title=Ramjas Not Alone, ABVP Has a Legacy of Violence and Vandalism|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15|date=23 February 2017}}</ref> have been criticized.<ref name=":4" /> and the screenings have been protested against.<ref name=":11" />

==== Jadavpur University ====
A screening of the film, which was supposed to be accompanied by Vivek and Anupam, was scheduled to be held at the [[Jadavpur University|Triguna Sen Auditorium]], Jadavpur University by a group “Think India”, backed by a right wing student union-- [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/violence-in-jadavpur-university-over-screening-of-film-starring-anupam-kher-2788370/|title=Anupam Kher's 'Buddha in a Traffic Jam' screened in open air amid protests on Jadavpur campus|date=2016-05-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> The screening was cancelled after the alumni association withdrew their permission, citing the model code of conduct, which was in force due to the concurrent state elections.<ref name=":6" /> Agnihotri was greeted with black flags and he alleged that he had been ''[[gherao]]''ed and manhandled whilst his car was damaged.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-director-faces-protests-at-jadavpur-university-1403540|title='They Are Breaking The Car Apart' Tweets Buddha In A Traffic Jam Director At Jadavpur University|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivek-agnihotri-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-jadavpur-university-abvp-left-2779844.html|title=Vivek Agnihotri recounts his Jadavpur University ordeal: No room for the Right- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=2016-05-13|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> The screening was thereafter rescheduled to be held in an open-air format but did not take any permission from the concerned authorities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-screening-jadavpur-university-vice-chancellor-avbp-ju-students-clash-2789223/|title=Jadavpur VC says film was screened in open air without prior permission|date=2016-05-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> It was accordingly asked to be stopped by the registrar but Vivek chose to proceed.<ref name=":1" /> Anticipating trouble in case of enabling a forced closure, the authorities did not intervene further.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/jadavpur-university-files-police-complaint-against-abvp-bjp-activists/story-ozbRHlnsjIePeyL2NYNi2H.html|title=4 ABVP, BJP workers booked for 'molesting' Jadavpur univ students|date=2016-05-07|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> This led to a subsequent fracas wherein the students claim that several outsiders from a right wing student union-- [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) turned the event into a political rally, sloganeering along right-wing agendas and assaulting those who dissented against the "divisive content" of the film.<ref name=":6"/><ref name=":4" /> Four of the outsiders (three of whom belonged to ABVP and the other was a professor of [[Bangabasi College]]) were alleged to have sexually molested women students and were kept within the university estate office by the students.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /> They were rescued after the vice-chancellor, registrar and other senior officials intervened, pending which an FIR was lodged by the university authority against them.<ref name=":1" /> Vivek and other ABVP leaders summarily rejected the allegations of molestation;<ref name=":3" /> which were subsequently further criticized.<ref name=":4" /> Vivek also blamed the students as ''naxalite''s enrolled in an institute where everything happened except education.<ref name=":11" />

The next day, JU students held a march across the city chanting slogans of ‘Azadi' from RSS and BJP, the parent organizations of ABVP and against "saffronisation" of the nation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ju-on-boil-again-for-screening-of-vivek-agnihotris-film/article8569569.ece|title=Students protest on Kolkata's streets|date=2016-05-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-15|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/jadavpur-univ-students-abvp-on-collision-course-day-after-clashes/story-L5r7GRKsNlmgHFcLGPwOqN.html|title=Jadavpur univ students, ABVP on collision course day after clashes|date=2016-05-07|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/abvp-protests-outside-jadavpur-univ-to-condemn-anti-nationalism/story-UoEntKKRvO1fimrz3UUMOK.html|title=Will chop off legs of anti-nationals in JU, say ABVP activists|date=2016-05-09|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> ABVP filed a counter FIR and asserted that they will send a detailed report to the home ministry about the "pro-naxalite anti-national" activities that took place in the campus which were supposedly advocated by pro-left students.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/jadavpur-university-hub-of-anti-nationals-vc-supporting-them-bjp/story-cXIfauTx1YRWbtyaObhosN.html|title=Jadavpur University hub of anti-nationals, VC supporting them: BJP|date=2016-05-07|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> They also sought for physical assault on the university students.<ref name=":9" />

The film was finally released on 13 May 2016 by Rajshri Productions in a limited number of theatres.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/azhar-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-and-dear-dad-release-at-box-office-today-2798106/|title=Azhar, Buddha In A Traffic Jam and Dear Dad release at box-office today|date=2016-05-13|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> The ''[[Indian Express]]'' failed to note any 'buzz' in the market.<ref name=":5" />

== Reception ==

=== Critical ===
Sarit Ray of [[Hindustan Times]] rated the film 1/5 and commented it to be a thoroughly unconvincing propaganda film that resembled an amateur and laughable attempt at filmmaking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-review-all-hype-no-substance/story-yBRIrqNwxQNR65QVVsyyfN.html|title=Buddha In A Traffic Jam review: All hype, no substance|date=2016-05-14|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-13}}</ref> Suprateek Chatterjee of [[HuffPost]] deemed it to be a "frequently ridiculous propaganda piece" for the right wing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/05/13/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-r_n_9946898.html|title='Buddha In A Traffic Jam' Review: A Frequently Ridiculous Propaganda Piece|date=2016-05-13|website=HuffPost India|language=en|access-date=2019-03-13}}</ref> Raja Sen of Rediff.Com noted it to be a hollow and senseless product of incompetent film-making; that failed the standards of even being an effective propaganda film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-makes-me-feel-sorry-for-the-indian-right/20160513.htm|title=Review: Buddha In A Traffic Jam makes me feel sorry for Indian Right Wingers|website=Rediff|access-date=2019-03-13}}</ref> Mohar Basu of [[The Times of India|Times of India]] rated it 2 out of 5 stars, criticizing the flimsy plot and Vivek's limited knowledge of the relevant issues.<ref>{{Citation|title=Buddha In A Traffic Jam, Story, Trailers|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam/movie-review/52240547.cms|access-date=2019-03-13}}</ref> Nandini Ramnath of [[Scroll.in]] criticized the film as a zeitgeist film of the Modi era, that severely lacked artistic merit and had a ridiculous plot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/808052/film-review-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-has-the-perfect-business-plan-for-revolution|title=Film review: 'Buddha in a Traffic Jam' has the perfect business plan for revolution|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-13}}</ref> Kunal Guha of [[Mumbai Mirror]] rated it 1.5 out of 5, noting that the film's plot deteriorated with ensuing time and at the end, induced nothing more than a little headache whilst sinking Vivek's last-ditch effort to redeem himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/Film-review-Buddha-In-A-Traffic-Jam/articleshow/52262112.cms|title=Film review: Buddha In A Traffic Jam|last=Guha|first=Kunal GuhaKunal|date=September 17, 2016|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> Surabhi Redkar of [[Koimoi.com]] rated it 1.5 out of 5 and remarked it to be a propaganda film with a flimsy plot, that stood far from objectivity and which sought to sell a particular mindset.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koimoi.com/reviews/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-review/|title=Buddha In A Traffic Jam Review|last=Redkar|first=Surabhi|date=2016-05-12|website=Koimoi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> Rachit Gupta of [[Filmfare]] criticized the film as suffering from lackluster plot, half-heartedly written scripts, mediocre screenplay, inconsistent performances and poor direction that did go absolutely nowhere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-13317.html|title=Movie Review: Buddha In A Traffic Jam |website=filmfare.com|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> Aniruddha Guha at MensXP.com rated the film 1.5 out of 5 and noted it to be a mixture of haphazard storytelling and poor screenplay that stuck to a uni-dimensional narrative, throughout: ''Leftists are the bad guys.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/30619-movie-review-buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-is-neither-smart-nor-entertaining.html|title=Movie Review: 'Buddha In A Traffic Jam' Is Neither Smart Nor Entertaining|website=mensxp.com|date=13 May 2016 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> Rajyasree Sen of [[Newslaundry.com]] noted that the sole reasons for showing the film in universities could be as a reminder for the students to not fund or be involved in cinema so shoddy, in whose description the words 'convoluted' and 'childish' proved to be an understatement.<ref name=":4" />

Rohit Bhatnagar of [[Deccan Chronicle]] praised the film as an extraordinary effort of shedding light on the buried political issues of the nation and praised multiple aspects of the filmmaking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/120516/buddha-in-a-traffic-jam-movie-review-an-unusual-tale-of-social-awakening.html|title=Buddha In A Traffic Jam movie review: An unusual tale of social awakening|last=Bhatnagar|first=Rohit|date=2016-05-12|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
The film did not perform well at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/arunoday-singh-i-don-t-consider-myself-any-less-successful-right-now/story-CBCtbzyxMHtkkPdceo3eZK.html|title=Arunoday Singh: I don't consider myself any less successful right now|date=2018-04-26|publisher=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

== Book ==
Agnihotri later wrote a book titled ''[[Urban Naxals: The Making of Buddha in a Traffic Jam]]'' about his experiences whilst making the film.<ref name="deccanchronicle.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/110618/vivek-agnihotri-urban-naxals-book-mithun-chakraborty.html|title=Mithun Chakraborty gives a thumbs up to Vivek Agnihotri's book 'Urban Naxals'|date=11 June 2018|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="newindianexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2018/jun/15/vivek-agnihotris-urban-naxals-catches-union-home-minister-rajnath-singhs-eye-1828647.html|title=Vivek Agnihotri's 'Urban Naxals' catches Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's eye|publisher=}}</ref> The book led to his framing of the term [[Urban Naxals]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-05|title='Ghoul' and the Spectre of Totalitarianism|url=https://www.epw.in/engage/article/%E2%80%98ghoul%E2%80%99-and-spectre-totalitarianism|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=50, 50, 50, 50, 50|issue=23, 23, 23, 23, 23|language=en|pages=7–8}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama movie|buddha-in-a-traffic-jam}}

{{Vivek Agnihotri}}

[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mangalore]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Films about Naxalism]]
[[Category:Films directed by Vivek Agnihotri]]
[[Category:Faiz Ahmad Faiz]]

Buddha in a Traffic Jam - Revision history

Bot at 10:03, 2 November 2022