No Smoking (2007) User Reviews

Very dark, but subtle....

[bollywoodplusplus · 8/10 · 6 January 2008]

You read thru the comments here, either its in 8-9-10 range or its in 1-2-3 range. Its funny to see the movie invokes such drastic reactions in different people. That itself talks a lot about the cinematic power of this masterclass movie of "A", (Anurag Kashyap).

To some extent, its a director's indulgence. He didn't make the movie for you or me, he made it for himself. It's a movie made for film school. The movie can be a textbook for various film-making subjects. Technically brilliant! A very dark movie indeed, probably first movie of the film-noir kind to be made from Bollywood stable. Anurag Kashyap is a sort of rebel in the industry. I am glad he was able to express himself cinematically through this movie.

Honestly, its really hard to understand the movie. And I didn't quite follow it either. But somehow, I really enjoyed watching it.

Vishal Bharadwaj produced it - who else but another master of dark movies will understand this movie.

Vishaal's music is infectious in the movie. He surprises me with his never-ending creativity. Musically I associated him with Omkara, Maachis type music, mellow, neo-classical, haunting. But his experimentation with Jazz in this movie is truly outstanding. Apart from the songs, the movie SHOULD get recognition for its background score. Deep rooted in jazz, I had to rewind the movie several times to listen to some background jazz scores. What else Vishaal has in store for us??? Its interesting to get a piece of director A's mind through his blog, where he really expresses himself, go to passionforcinema.com to read his blog. If you are anywhere close to film-making, you will love reading his writings.

Anurag Kashyap is a different class of movie director. I am not sure if he can make much money trying to follow his passion, because it is very hard to get accepted with this kinda movies. However, I wish he make a few semi-commercial movies to give him the money to experiment with true gems like No Smoking. Last thing I want him to be branded as a crazy lunatic of the bollywood.

Bravo Mr Kashyap!!

No smoking is a maze

[m_shankar20 · 7/10 · 28 October 2007]

Anurag Kashyap is the wannabe maverick genius of Bollywood. (I say wannabe because the official maverick genius is Ram Gopal Varma :-). His films either do not finish, or do not get released or release years later. After the solid 'Black Friday', it was difficult to ignore his next release and so I went to watch 'No Smoking'.

No Smoking is a puzzle. It is a maze through the uncharted territories in Hindi cinema. Kashyap has donned a David Lynch hat this time. He unpacks a bag of questions on the screen for you which you have to find answers for yourself. And that, he backs up with excellent technical support from all other departments, so that you are not distracted in your search for answers.

I'll be honest. I did not really understand the film but I guess that is the way Kashyap wants it to be. He wants me to unravel the layers of the film as and when I have time. In that process, when I'd have soaked myself thoroughly in 'No Smoking', I'll let it go, not caring to be bothered by it anymore. Just like K (John Abraham's character) does to his cigarette.

a) Is cigarette a metaphor for all the things we lust for which only destroy us at the end? (I'm reminded of the line from 'Pulp Fiction' where Bruce Willis' girl friend tells him how things that are good to touch are not good to look at, referring to a pot belly) b) Is Paresh Rawal's character actually God? Is he the villain because he does not let us pursue our lust and plays by his rules - rules which cannot be bent or broken? c) In the end, does someone always have to really loose his soul and conscience? Can this world no go round if everyone owns his soul till the end?

I don't know if these are the questions that No Smoking asks. But it did force me to think of these.

The film is a technical accomplishment. The camera work, the set designs and graphics are all top notch. Tin cans were stacked up to create amazing visuals (you don't always need Switzerland :-). Music is in tune with the film and Gulzar, as always, has written lyrics that are sign-posts in this maze. Kudos also to Kumar Mangat and Vishal Bharadwaj for having the guts to produce such a film.

John Abraham is good. He always manages to do well in caught-on-all-sides characters. Paresh Rawal shines in his role. It was a relief to see him at some place other than a mindless Priyadarshan muddle.

No Smoking, no doubt, is at par technically with the best in the world but sadly enough, it has very little conventional entertainment value. It may be one of the milestones that Kashyap had to cross in his path to higher glories.

Itzz different

[ashu_win2003 · 8/10 · 3 November 2007]

I watched this movie once and couldn't resist myself from watching it again only 10 mins later. A black metaphor of life, which poses some serious questions to the thinking mind. Lust, and how far can you go to pursue your lust? What if some supernatural entity is destined to stop you from committing the lust? And what if the darker side of nature forces you to commit it?

Questions answered and many others unanswered.. this is a movie brilliantly crafted; though at times the pace is slackened. And who says its a copy of the Game? The questions this movie asks and forces us to think is totally different from the game. The treatment of this movie is very different, but i am afraid this difference will become too much for the general audience to grasp or to digest.

Kudos to you Anurag Kashyap, for giving hungry people like me ( those who have hunger for watching movies which are a class apart) a classic movie to feast upon, on the risk of losing most of your other customers.

Awesome compilation of random thoughts in the subconscious

[nik-naren · 9/10 · 10 November 2007]

The Plot The Protagonist "K" is a narcissist, self obsessed chain smoker. But I believe most smokers are narcissist to an extend. So is K, the man who spends hours in the Wash Room, to enjoy the smoke look at his well toned body and enjoy his looks, his style, rebuilding his confidence, by self assuring that "nobody tells me what to do". He takes his life for granted, when he says, no body leaves me. The question of leaving, quitting in his life has to go with his past, where his mother and father split.

He is so obsessed with himself, that he is got less time to think about it. A self made cosmopolitan corporate boss, who makes things possible, with out leaving cigarette not even a moment. His name is K, because his name is K, and there is no surname, last name attributes, to add to the fact that he is self made man. His wife Anjali is a woman, who never complained, at last sticks her foot down, and asks him to quit smoking. He is referred to a clinic, Prayog Shala, which has a reputation. K decides to go to the clinic to bring back his estranged wife. He goes down the shabby "Kalkatta Karpets", a shady place where Prayog Shala is located. Bengali Baba, chief there asks him to enroll, or else die. He is got no option but to take it. The conditions put by Baba are simple. If K smokes his first Cigarette after this , his brother who is in hospital will be suffocated with cigarette smoke. Second cigarette, his fingers will be cut off. Next cigarette, his wife will die.

As I was leaving from the theater, I could hear viewers puzzled comments on the movie. I am sure, more than half of the crowd didn't understand the movie. Hence writing this. As Anurag said before the release, there is only one key to understand the movie.

Anurag has employed the same devices that was always incorporated by likes of David Lynch (Blue Velevet, Mullholland Drive etc.), Martin Scorsese ( After Hours), Charlie Kauffman (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, adaptation, being John Malkavitch, etc. )

This film has nothing to do with quitting smoking. But everything to do with quitting any addiction in life. Smoking being one of the worst, yet popular addiction is difficult to kick, because of the availability of cigarettes was just chosen by him. This film is about habits, that has gotten in to us, in the subconscious, which makes us feel we need it. The inner struggle , whether for good or bad.

the dream K is having is of Siberia, it represents oppression, a communist rule, where there are no individual liberty. He is the one who believes he is independent and free, and he is made to quit his individual liberty, his dream state just signifies that, the state he is in, the desperation for smoke. He will get killed if he goes for the smoke.

* the Baba is a doctor, there is no Baba, he instead of the usual chemical treatment, treats K psychologically. After all smoking is more a psychological addiction * the dialog Baba says about Antaratma, is about subconscious. the struggling K we see is his subconscious, what Baba does is he is taming the subconscious, the key factor of individuality and liberty from the mind of a narcissist man, who says, no one teaches me what to do. For that fear in injected in to his mind.

* there are no actual loss of ears, eyes, family, what ever. Those are fears of losing loved ones, harming them, causing harm to oneself, by smoking, there are no accident, but its what he is going through * there are no Annie, only Anjali. Annie is the guilty feeling that he has in his mind, that if he smokes he will loose her, and also the temptation to smoke. (to cheat or not to cheat one's wife) * he is forced many times to smoke, and smoking he is made to believe causes harm to his loved ones, that explains the murder of Anjali, suicide of his brother (he is made to believe that he is the cause of his brothers lung problem), etc.

* the dialog I reached here through bathtub, him though Almari, signifies the subconscious of other people going through the same, similar phase * the other K inside the that dirty room, trying to reach the original K, is none other than his subconscious trying to reach him, and make him smoke, the dirt signifies many things, the smoking dirt, the suffering he is going through * remember the announcement "those who have paid full fees can go for the bath". It means the course is complete, where the subconscious is cleaned up * finally he, the subconscious, is being burnt , and finally K is relieved and treated.

* the cut finger is none other than the fact that, he is missing the smoke in his had, the fingers which are cut are the ones which we use to smoke, so when he finally quit smoking, he is missing those, the only way he can get out of it is to get himself company and relief, which is why he has to enroll another person for the program.

9/10.Anurag has has suspended disbelief and played with it,. there are more comments to it, explaining each and every incident, but i believe i just have to give key. please feel free to correct me, if i got any thing wrong. one more thing john Abraham has done a good job, really commendable, for the first time ever. seems all he needed was a good director

Vivid. Unreal. Stunning. Abstract art at its best.

[singh-amrit · 7/10 · 28 October 2007]

Hmmm… so didn't we think "abstract art" is a term coined to be used only for paintings or photographs or at best sculptures or any form of art that is static? Whenever we thought of an abstract cinema, most of us would start and stop at Shyam Benegal.

But Anurag Kashyap with his latest film, changes lots of definitions and perceptions. No doubt Shayam Benegal brand of cinema is one of the USPs of Indian film Industry. But usually in that brand of cinema you could see through Director's brain by the end. You could make out what was the film maker trying to portray. But Anurag Kashyap keeps his card close to his chest till the end. It's hard to define if it was a good thing to do or bad. But the fact remains that there would be numerous questions in your mind after watching this film with various possible answers and none of the answer being totally right or totally wrong. This is peak of vivid imagination. This is stuff dreams are made of.

Anurag, the director of highly rated Black Friday, shows that there is an intelligent film maker in there who dares to think away from ordinary. This bold attempt may not fetch him commercial success every time, but one thing is for sure that we have a film maker who makes film he believes in and not for making money. This is a good sign for Indian cinema. He gives a new dimension to Art Cinema. Every few reels, you can feel proud that you have got to the crux of the events going on screen, you can soar sky high. But then suddenly you realize that you don't have wing, the film takes an unimaginative new turn and you are left where you started.

With stunning cinematography, amazing art work, superb direction and high class acting, this certainly is an experience of its own kind. John Abraham looks sexy with his hot 6 packs. Paresh Rawal is as good as it gets. Ayesha Takia is decent.

Don't try to find or infuse any sense or logic of your own, just watch what is shown, be it lady singing in Adnan Sami's voice or a bath tub in Siberia opening in underground world in Mumbai, and you might like the ride.

Unbelievable, Classy, Abstract

[Sparrowmaniac · 9/10 · 9 December 2007]

There is no doubt left in my mind, that Anurag Kashyap is the next big thing in Bollywood. He is probably the best Indian director for a long time, after the great Satyajit Ray. After his controversial debut in the industry with Paanch, and Black Friday, he delivers this classy act with No Smoking. Truth be told, I was a bit skeptical about this film. A few of my friends had already had a glimpse of it and warned me against going for it, but I gave it a shot nonetheless. And I'm not complaining.

No Smoking is not your traditional movie. Its not targeted to be a box office hit, because simply 9/10 people will find it stupid, boring and curse Mr.Kashyap to be a raving lunatic. But in the truest of sense, there could not have been any better addiction movie than No Smoking. We have had Requiem For a Dream, Trainspotting in Hollywood, but this the first time we have an Indian story to it. True No Smoking is even more abstract than both, but it also follows a complicated theory. One which is iterated by the Guruji(Paresh Rawal) of the Hindu knowledge of the soul, consciousness, and the Vedas.

What is the basic theme of the movie is that every addiction has its core in the consciousness, the soul and we have to purify the soul in order to rid us of the addiction. The entire movie we are thrown into possibilities where the antagonist, K (John Abraham) is comprehending what is right or wrong. And that is not restricted to his addiction but all judgments in his life. Whether or not to cheat on someone's wife, or whether or not to trust someone, whether or not in his actions/inactions he is unintentionally causing anyone harm. Which is why we see he is made to believe his wife's death, his brother's suicide is his doing. But this is what his subconscious is telling him. This is what the cure is trying to tell him.

The treatment that the Guruji is giving him is completely psychological. We find all the patients/relatives of the people who have been to see the "Prayogshala" is admitted to a ward which is made by the Prayogshala itself. People will misinterpret as an emotional blackmail, but in truth its cleansing the soul. We see that the antagonist feels claustrophobic at the end of the end of his dream. He says that his throat is parched and he needs a smoke, when he breaks a window and rushes to the middle of nowhere to get a smoke. The dream of Siberia, the Russian soldier shooting him(although no blood comes out) is all an indication that this is not real, its the journey of the soul, a pathway to cure of his afflictions. We find many clues to this right from the start to the end, to the point when he is desperately trying to prove to the cops that he didn't murder his wife, we find him going all ends out to prove that he is innocent, but somehow nothing works out, since HE has been living a dream, and he just woke up, so his stories are not matching up. This is something novel that Fincher did in the legendary "Fight Club"

We find in the end the real K, looking out as if searching for a long lost friend, but in real he was searching for his soul, which was waiting to be cleansed, and as his soul his bathed in fire, it is cleansed and is returned to him. About the missing fingers, well everyone thought that was another torture device, but did anyone notice the fingers missing ?? They were the index finger and the middle finger, the ones we use to smoke. They are taken from the patient as a precaution. And the journey of the soul is complete only when he convinces another of his kin to undergo the same procedure, then his finger is returned to him.

The movie was like I said, superb, and instead of praising any of the actors, well, this is a all in all Kashyap movie throughout. It didn't matter who was the actor, true John Abraham has done a remarkable job, but the genius that Kashyap is, made this movie so good. The direction and screenplay made this the success that it is. The script was just too good, and the sets used, (which I think were real locations actually) were also marvelous. Also the small glimpses of cheap visual effects makes it even more brilliant to show the journey of the soul. The soundtrack is also too good. Apart from the Hindi numbers exclusively for the movie, we are also treated with lots of melodious oldies starting from Frank and Nancy Sinatra to others, and to careful notice one can see that all these songs were about smoking. Paresh Rawal is also excellent in his role as the Guruji, he makes it look so easy. Ayesha Takia is again just a pretty face in this movie, without not much chance to prove herself.

Lastly this review would be incomplete without a special credit to the masterful, artful Anurag Kashyap. He made a movie about a social peril, about smoking, and he made it look so easy, that it was just brilliant. He has well proved his merit over all other contemporaries. It is just pathetic that people still want to watch stupid remakes by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, irritating soap/family dramas by Karan Johar, and utter bullshit from the likes of Farah Khan, Sajid Khan when they always have options of watching brilliant stuff from this man. This perhaps is my longest review but you also don't get to see such exquisite movies such as No Smoking everyday. 9/10 !!!

a tribute to abstract cinema

[rick-rulez · 7/10 · 27 October 2007]

after the devastating black Friday, director Anurag Kashyap is back with yet another film, this time roughly based on a Stephen king novel quitters inc. no smoking is a film which is not meant for everyone, in fact the number of people who will find this movie engaging is very few and far between. the central character of the film "K" is addicted to smoking which becomes the worrying point for his wife Anjali who threatens him that she would think of divorce if he doesn't think of leaving smoking. helpless he decides to go into a rehabilitation center, who's process of making smokers quit is a bit unconventional to say the least. what happens after that should not be revealed. the movie has some brilliant visual effects, excellent cinematography and strong direction for most of the part. john Abraham pulls of a difficult role pretty well though he has a long way to go before he can boast of his acting skills. there are flaws in the film and for which it would fail to get an audience in most places, the director of the film takes it's audience for granted, he is so busy in showing off his genius that he forgets about the people for whom he is making this movie. the result is the bizarre puzzling ending. in all this film is one that avoids traditional Bollywood clichés and is fresh in its story,look and treatment. Just on final word of advise for the director, at the time when Indian new wave cinema is again starting to grow, lets all just not make different movies but lets all make good movies.

Ahead Atleast 50 years of its actual time of release

[vishal-17422 · 10/10 · 19 September 2018]

One of the best hindi movie John 10/10 Paresh rawal 11/10 Anurag 20/10 Vishal Bhardwaj Music 50/10

No Thanks

[Chrysanthepop · 7 March 2010]

Inspired by movies made by auteurs like Kaufman, Lynch etc, Anurag Kashyap makes 'No Smoking'. Given the premise, which is very interesting, one would expect something stunning, especially since Kashyap has assumed director's seat. However, 'No Smoking' fails to meet up expectations. Kashyap's style of making, which is inspired by Kaufman's works, is impressive on the technical side. The editing, cinematography, lighting and special effects are very well done. Vishal Bhardwaj's score is terrific. Kashyap also succeeds in creating a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere but the main problem's are with the script and performances. The basic skeleton of the story treads the path of a traditional thriller where the writers later added elements of surrealism and symbolism. At the same time Kashyap tries to tackle too many themes but they all end up half-baked. John Abraham turns up with a truly abysmal performance. He is wooden to the core and wears one expression almost through the entire film. While Paresh Rawal's Baba Bangali lacks mystery and intrigue. Rawal repeats his hyperactive-chatterbox act. Ayesha Takia isn't given much scope. With movies like 'Black Friday', Anurag Kashyap has proved to be a more than capable film director. However, 'No Smoking' does not meet up with the standards.

No Conforming

[navneet · 7/10 · 1 November 2007]

No Smoking had gained a certain notoriety on the first day of its theatrical release because it was dissed as "pathetic", "too complex", "self-indulgent" etc. etc. by the most self-indulgent critics in India. Since critics rarely get it right and I love Anurag Kashyap's work, I went to see the film. I came out thinking what's wrong with critics in this country? No Smoking is a haunting dark parody of conformism in society. If critics found this complex it makes you wonder if, these six-figure salary people have ever heard of Pasolini, Karel Kachyna or for that matter even David Lynch.. After all, these so called critics get highly paid to have a cinematic vocabulary.

The story, is about a wealthy, egocentric character named K who is addicted to smoking. He will not quit because "No one tells him what to do". He takes utter arrogant pride in his freedom to smoke! It is his identity and he refuses to apologize for who he is.. a chain-smoker! And he is not likable either. But when his wife threatens to leave him, it forces him to consider quitting. He decides to visit a rehabilitation center run by a religious priest (played brilliantly by Paresh Rawal). The priest and his cult have a rather convincing way of making you quit. First, you have no choice. K is forced to enter the program at gun point and the method of rehabilitation is terrifying. For every cigarette you smoke, you will lose a loved one!

For the uninitiated critics of India, that is a metaphor for:

a) Religion is the tyranny that forces a violent rehabilitation b) You can be forced to let go of your ego and conform to society (your wife, friends, family, norms of good behavior etc.) c) Belonging to a group is the only real choice available in a world of multiple choices.

The film takes us into a journey of K's soul and how it disintegrates from his body till the soul is finally destroyed by the fires of hell. Now, K is left soul-less, fearful, but a non-smoker with a content wife. What's even more interesting is the allusion that K took up smoking, in the first place, due to peer pressure in his younger days. Hence, even his decision to smoke, which he so proudly identifies with his individualism, may have been influenced by group dynamics. I think its hilarious that Kashyap chose nicotine rehabilitation as a metaphor for society's dictates.

Now, for what's wrong with the film. The casting is horrible. Except for Paresh Rawal, every actor disappoints. John Abraham is tolerable, though a real actor in the role of K, could have really turned this role into a brilliant performance. Ayesha Takia and the rest of the cast are beyond bad and at moments unwatchable. But the astonishing cinematography and set design compensate and allows one to bear the actors.

At the end of the day, No Smoking is a horror story well told with some of the most haunting images of Indian Cinema. Yet it suffers due to poor acting. If you'd like to see an attempt by a talented filmmaker to push the confining envelope of mostly pathetic Bollywood Cinema you must watch No Smoking. Kashyap doesn't succeed all the way, but he does far better than what the critics are willing to admit.

I'd give it 6 out of 10 stars because of the horrible actors.

Chaotic, and while it's supposed to be, it loses the point

[Peter_Young · 4/10 · 26 March 2022]

Okay, yes, the film is quite innovative and clearly experimental in its attempt to employ a dizzy blend of reality and fantasy with dark comedy and psychological drama. The film doesn't have much of a story actually, it's just a collection of symbols and psychedelic events. The film isn't unwatchable, actually the opposite, but its purpose is questionable and sadly it's not fully realised. John Abraham is quite decent, but he is not strong enough an actor for this sort of part, although he's quite effective within the context of the film. Paresh Rawal obviously does better. Sadly the film doesn't live up to its own premise and becomes overly self-indulgent, much to the point of turning into a messy mishmash in ways that make it quite challenging to follow. Still, it is technically brilliant and, as said above, quite watchable despite being, at the end of the day, just another film with pretensions. Anurag Kashyap can do better than this pretentious compilation of nonsensical, wannabe profound turns, but it's a forgivable experiment and I see some like it more than I think it deserves, so good for them.

No Smoking - Welcome to New Age Cinema of Beauty and Class

[aurotaro · 10/10 · 9 November 2007]

Throw away the colorful clothes, all the expensive jewellery and welcome to realistic cinema.

A theme which is hard to make a movie on, attempted by a writer/director of many realistic movies like Black Friday and Satya.

What appears on the screen is true magic of a director who thinks a different way. A second of this movie cannot be missed, a minute is as good as not watching the movie.

Put on your thinking caps for a movie. See, visualize, enthrall.

This movie is a must-watch for those who love change, who love to think about every scene in the movie and analyze.

Commercial? -- 0% value.

Cinematic Experience? - 200% value.

It did take me two full times to watch this movie to understand the whole concept of this movie.

It did make me think 10 times before I touched my next cigarette.

I applaud you Mr Anurag Kashyap. Screw the critics who slammed you.

Unconventional & Rustic! 74%

[nairtejas · 7/10 · 15 September 2013]

I am enthralled by the adaptation and have always been a fan of Anurag Kashyap for taking up topics that strikes chords. With No Smoking, he has set a new standard in himself.

The plot, although, anti-narrative, throws some light into the ever- growing habit of rampant cigarette smoking in the world. It does not necessarily give out a message to stop smoking, but treats the theme in an unconventional & elegant way. The story of a narcissist who tries his hand at kicking the butt through a pundit gets entangled in a world of surprises & confusion. Now, the decipherment of this story is quite ambiguous, but the rendition works very well. Music, cinematography, CGI & writing is very promising. Cast performance is another laudable thing.

Although, the plot could've been polished into a more fathomable line, No Smoking earns brownie points scene after scene, when it instills neo- noir & psychological babbles int itself. It isn't cringe-worthy at all.

BOTTOM LINE: Recommended to people who love watching shady movies. 7.4 out of 10.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Profanity: Mild | Vulgarity/Sex/Mouth-Kiss: No | Violence/Gore: Strong | Smoking: Infinity | Alcohol: Mediocre | Drugs/Porn: No

Disappointment

[sumesh_5552000-1 · 1/10 · 28 October 2007]

I expected a lot from Anurag Kashyap, as he was famous for being real and showing reality. But after watching the movie i didn't understand a single thing. What is the content of he movie. What message he wants to give ? I was completely lost. It was difficult to believe that the director of BLACK Friday made NO SMOKING. I saw 12- 18 people leaving the movie halfway. The only good hing about the movie was Ranvir Shorey who did brilliant job. It was a joy to watch Paresh Rawal not making a fool of himself. But his performance lacked a punch that the character demanded. And as you may have gathered, I still have no clue what the movie was about. And quite frankly, I don't want to know.You try so hard to understand what NO SMOKING tries to say, but the film is like one big puzzle that refuses to get solved.

The best tribute to Franz Kafka

[rohan-choukkar · 10/10 · 27 November 2010]

For all those illiterates (the numbers of these great unwashed I do not doubt, it is hardly surprising that the movie bombed) who give it 1-2 stars and talk about preserving sanity, a question: Ever heard of Franz Kafka? I saw this movie just after I had read The Trial and The Castle back-to-back. It is a brilliant tribute to the genius of Kafka: I wonder that is what Anurag Kashyap intended in the first place. The plot follows the same twists and turns that one would have in a Kafka novel, particularly the descent to meet the Baba. It is not just any shady place, it is a passage from The Trial faithfully replicated: when K first approaches his accusers (note the name: another Kafka hallmark). Sheer genius. Both the original writer, and the film-maker.

Stephen King's novel gets Over-confusing and Soulless narrative but the advanced structure of storytelling is still worth watching.

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 7 February 2021]

No Smoking (2007) : Brief Review -

Stephen King's novel gets Over-confusing and Soulless narrative but the advanced structure of storytelling is still worth watching. No Smoking might be the most advanced narrative told in Bollywood for its time because of futuristic storytelling and unrealistic labyrinth designing. One must understand the basic motive of it before coming to any conclusion which is far simpler than what it looks. Yes, it looks confusing the way it ends and force you to think about it from other point of view and that's where the victory of director awaits but if you don't really find yourself in a maze which certainly has sideway to the destination then there is nothing much that can confuse you. It's a surreal story about a man, his addiction of smoking, and a mysterious and powerful organisation, which claims to cure such addictions, though through very unusual ways. First you don't have to believe it much because of its fictional values, two is you have to feel it in human ways and third is you don't have to lose you basic cinematic sense for the sake of intricate structure in which the narrative is bulit. There are some things in the film which have been over-visualised, over-conceptualized and over-fantasized, for instance take The Secretary's character. You don't know her but you get to hear about her and you're left with several unanswered questions about her and at last you don't even care about her. That's quite unnecessarily built-up which doesn't get any justification to prove its value towards the main narrative. Rest, it has a gripping screenplay, terrific performance, amazing direction and highly situational music with meaningful Lyrics. On the negative side it has few loopes that weren't covered well or should I say were not used properly which hurts. King's original novel still seems more accurate, more simple and more attractive than this and that's the only defeat of this film otherwise it's a great head-spinner.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest

wanna THINK deep, just watch it than!

[NolanFan7 · 9/10 · 8 December 2010]

EXCELLENT is the only word that suits on this movie, i just saw this movie in December 2010 because of the great Indian reviewers who had given such a bad comments on this movie, my friend told me again and again to watch this movie but i was always saying no to him (i thought why to watch that movie which is rated 1.5/5 in the times of India)...i was wrong with every aspect, it is a shame that i had watch this great movie so late! i loved every scene of this movie, this movie has really something to say in each and every scene, Anurag Kashyap no doubt is the best director in India who wanted to change the taste of Indian viewers and i know that he will succeed in this...storyline great, cinematography great, a big hand for Jhon and Paresh, they did the great job...a deep, dark and real concept makes confused sometimes but if you start thinking deeper you'll see that this masterpiece really has many things to say...very well done Anurag, very well done the other star cast...lastly i wanted to say that please watch this different masterpiece and you'll be surely comparing it to the Hollywood movies!

One of Anurag's most abstract films

[silvan-desouza · 6/10 · 20 November 2013]

Anurag Kashyap is known for making abstract films, No Smoking is one of his most abstract films which is very complex to understand The film has a good concept and treated very differently and should be watched minutely.

The film starts well and the way it executes it will not be understood on one watch.

The way John's character unfolds is superbly, his scenes of frustration are all well handled, till the end it makes you confused but that was what Anurag was intending for

Direction by Anurag Kashyap is good Music is okay

John Abraham often criticised for his acts does a great job in this film, he plays the character perfectly, Ayesha annoys, Ranvir Shorey is okay, Paresh Rawal is amazing rest are okay

Crazily Abstract.. Unbelievably Brilliant

[rajeev511 · 10/10 · 26 October 2007]

It is one of the few movies that is a mix of intended stupidity, sarcasm and at the same time a great use of the plot.

The movie starts off with things that you can readily digest to be possible, but things become hazy and unreal as the movie proceeds, making you feel that Kashyap has slipped somewhere. But the process of the story reveals that nothing in the movie is real or unreal, for a question of possibility to arise, and you are left with a lot of questions with many possible answers, none seeming right or wrong.

The most common aspect of any abstract movie is the fact that at some point before the end the director tells you what the whole movie was about. The whole abstractness is broken or justified in the end. But 'No Smoking' takes that a few dimension higher. Every now and then it gives you a feeling that you have been able to look through the director and break into the story. And every time it leaves you more devastated.

To make things better, or worse i don't know, the end gives you a feeling that you have finally cracked the mystery and you feel proud of yourself, and reach cloud nine. But Kashyap takes no time to push you back to earth, and you fall so hard that it leaves you with no option but to appreciate the sheer brilliance of the director.

Overall its a delight for someone who looks for more that a story or a perfect ending in a movie.

What the fcuk??

[hrk_walt · 7/10 · 27 December 2007]

Those were the first words that came out of my mouth after watching this film. I was very excited to see this movie, and even after not being able to understand everything, i still like it. I could not understand anything 2nd half onwards, and i watched it 2 more times and read various articles about it, but still couldn't be sure if I totally understood the movie or not, if I got the director's intentions right or not? and even after boggling my mind to insanity, i still like it, i don't know why.....But I also want to know that cinema is entertainment, not a quiz or a puzzle like this movie is.....my advice: watch it if you want to interpret it...and have the time to, because this won't provide light entertainment

Statutory Warning: This Movie Might Drive You Insane!

[hunt-scorpio · 1/10 · 29 October 2007]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT watch this movie if you value your sanity. I sat through almost 3 hours of this movie and could not get a single clue about what the whole movie about. I spent a night analyzing the movie, racking my brain until I almost drove myself insane. The theater was almost empty on a Sunday night which was its third day of release. I think that more than accentuates the failure of the movie. The director did a very bad job of porting a Stephen King's novel for Bollywood. At the end of the movie I was checking to see If I was the only one disappointed. People shaking their heads and joking about how bad the movie was reassured me. No one got the movie. And for the record I live in one of the posh areas of the city. If people like these are so clueless what happens to the masses?

Underrated Gem

[jordanbelfort-78941 · 10/10 · 17 November 2019]

This movie is One of Anurag kashyap's most underrated work. It is literally awesome. Highly recommended!!

No Smoking Is India's ( Inception ), ( TENET ) OR Like ( Interstellar )

[yuvrajjuneja-59021 · 7/10 · 9 September 2021]

Anurag Kashyap Has Done Great Work. He Made His Film ( No Smoking ) Like British-American Director Christopher Nolan's Films ( Inception ), ( TENET ), OR Like ( Interstellar ). Anurag Kashyap Has Proved That He Is Mastermind Director In Bollywood.

Everybody Should Watch This Film. This Movie Is Great. This Movie Is Is Free On ( Jio Cinema ) and ( Zee5 ). Not Joke, It's Really Free on ( Zee5 ) Too.

Warning: This nauseating movie is far harmful than a cigarette!

[ssvikas · 1/10 · 17 September 2008]

Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed ‘Black Friday’, raised my expectations from No Smoking, expecting it to be a decent drama carrying a strong message against smoking. But, all of the pointless nonsense hurled at you scene after scene in the name of creativity actually drives you beyond the threshold of tolerance. For the eternal length of this apology of a film, cutie Ayesha Takia was the only possible distraction.

K, yes you read it right, it’s a single alphabet name (John Abraham) is a successful, self-obsessed man who just can’t seem to live life without lighting up a cigarette. Much to the chagrin of his wife who also doubles up as his secret secretary, Anjali (Takia) who tries to rid him off the habit, the obsession never seems to leave K. Enter, his friends who have quit the butt, introduce him to a certain ‘Prayogshala’ with guaranteed results.

Well, does our hero budge? Not until his wife leaves him compelling K to visit the ‘Prayogshala’ in run down metal shacks led by Shri Shri Prakash Guru Ghantal Baba Bangali Sealdah Wale (Paresh Rawal) who seems to wield magical influence on his subjects which sometimes borderline barbarism. Then, there is something called the ‘Cigarette Shastra’ that the subject is supposed to read, and then sign a contract!

Baba’s contract comes with no escape! Offenders are magically tracked even if they were to escape to Africa or at times confined in Siberia! Absurdities don’t just end there. The ‘Prayogshala’ has a place for harvested souls, a call centre of burqua clad women, ways to chop fingers off offenders who touch cigarettes again. It’s just another thing that they manage to reattach them too, when they get a new victim to sign up for the rehab.

Probably, this movie in all its weirdness may make sense to self styled intellectuals, but for those looking for some semblance of sense, just Keep Out! Maybe the movie had noble intentions to ward people from smoke. Well, for the headache you get after watching this, you may actually want to puff off a whole packet. The non-smoker too may want to try out the stuff, if not for anything but to disapprove the stuff the Baba does!

Simply amazing

[saurabhrhere · 10/10 · 2 November 2007]

'No Smoking' is a masterpiece. It embodies so many ideas, every scene, every frame giving you a clue about the whole, leaving messages in pieces that for a normal 'entertainment' seeking audience, it becomes a challenge.

The director challenges the audience to give up their passive viewing and think, decipher what goes on with the protagonist K. The movie is full of metaphors and clues, the people here represent ideas/ideals. For example, smoking and K's addiction to smoking is equivalent to freedom and a person's passion to work with freedom. The rehab center, Baba Bengali and K's friends who send him to quit smoking are the 'system'. Everyone complies and obeys the system without asking themselves what 'they' the individual wants. The system makes sure that everyone complies fully without even a hint of opposition...(symbolically represented by 'cutting fingers' and torturing family members...if u fail to quit smoking). Inspite of everything, if you dare to 'desire', your spirit is cleansed. That is evident in the last ten minutes, when K's real self, is across the glass wall crying as he sees himself without the soul, without the freedom to desire...just a spineless body that has submitted to the system.

There are many other clues and interpretations, but I think these are the more obvious ones. Wrote specifically for the people who complained they failed to make a 'head' or 'tail' out of the film. The director, Anurag Kashyap believes that the Indian audience is 'spoon-fed' and looking at reviews and people's reaction to 'No-Smoking', its no wonder that everyone wants to stay away from it. They would rather remain 'spoon-fed' than grow up.

An amazing piece of art..the first of its kind to be ever made in India.