A Societal Analysis of Buddha in a Traffic Jam

Abstract

After a thorough watch of the film several times, Buddha in a Traffic Jam is considered to be an autobiographical film based on its writer & director Vivek Agnihotri's life. Based on true life incidents, its treatment is that of a new age political drama with a unique chapter wise approach to relevant topics leading to its climax. His storytelling format is like a book which takes off from prologue to epilogue and has chapters in between which are decently interesting. The film is an initiative by one of the top Business schools of the world, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and this is the first Indian film ever based and shot in a B school. The script seems to have a forced irony and drama element to it which instantly puts one off.

Film explores how certain universities are brainwashing students to become intellectual terrorists. The film also takes on various themes of corruption, campus politics, moral policing, crony socialism and the aspirational India wiping it clean of its middlemen. It probes deep into the relevance of socialism and capitalism in a poverty and corruption ridden India seeking to become a superpower.