94 reviews
Very dark, but subtle....
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!!
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!!
- bollywoodplusplus
- Jan 5, 2008
- Permalink
No smoking is a maze
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.
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.
- m_shankar20
- Oct 27, 2007
- Permalink
Itzz different
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.
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.
- ashu_win2003
- Nov 2, 2007
- Permalink
Awesome compilation of random thoughts in the subconscious
Vivid. Unreal. Stunning. Abstract art at its best.
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.
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.
- singh-amrit
- Oct 27, 2007
- Permalink
Unbelievable, Classy, Abstract
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 !!!
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 !!!
- Sparrowmaniac
- Dec 8, 2007
- Permalink
a tribute to abstract cinema
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.
- rick-rulez
- Oct 26, 2007
- Permalink
Ahead Atleast 50 years of its actual time of release
One of the best hindi movie
John 10/10
Paresh rawal 11/10
Anurag 20/10
Vishal Bhardwaj Music 50/10
- vishal-17422
- Sep 18, 2018
- Permalink
Good abstract movie about freedom.
So this movie is a very underrated but it is great. It has so many metaphors which makes it good. This movie comes in the abstract genre which can make it confusing at times but can be understood by a rewatch or an analysis. This movie is not about smoking, smoking is just used as a metaphor but it is about freedom. You will get it when you watch it.
- tytushar-87734
- Feb 7, 2022
- Permalink
Chaotic, and while it's supposed to be, it loses the point
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.
- Peter_Young
- Mar 25, 2022
- Permalink
No Smoking - Welcome to New Age Cinema of Beauty and Class
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.
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.
No Thanks
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.
- Chrysanthepop
- Mar 6, 2010
- Permalink
No Conforming
Disappointment
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.
- sumesh_5552000-1
- Oct 27, 2007
- Permalink
The best tribute to Franz Kafka
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.
- rohan-choukkar
- Nov 26, 2010
- Permalink
Stephen King's novel gets Over-confusing and Soulless narrative but the advanced structure of storytelling is still worth watching.
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
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
- SAMTHEBESTEST
- Feb 6, 2021
- Permalink
wanna THINK deep, just watch it than!
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!
Unconventional & Rustic! 74%
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
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
Crazily Abstract.. Unbelievably Brilliant
What the fcuk??
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!
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?
- hunt-scorpio
- Oct 28, 2007
- Permalink
Underrated Gem
This movie is One of Anurag kashyap's most underrated work. It is literally awesome. Highly recommended!!
- jordanbelfort-78941
- Nov 16, 2019
- Permalink
bravo!
First of all, I regret that i didn't watch this movie in d cinema hall... not that it would make any difference... But, I would've wanted to spend 150 bucks for this movie rather than crap movies like "Om Shanti Om" or any crap which comes out every Friday.
Second, Bravo Mr. Kashyap... its d audiences who do not deserve a film maker and films made by you. this is a brilliant piece of art. You have created something like a Indian fight club or Indian sin city...
Thirdly... Goddamn all the audiences who didn't like the movie!!!! Why does something obscure happenings be impalpable to u turds?? Why everything has to be spoon fed to u to understand what is being shown? Why is this obscure to u and why isn't 50 people bursting into choreographed dance & song sequences seem normal?
Finally, yes, arguably the best movie of the year...
Second, Bravo Mr. Kashyap... its d audiences who do not deserve a film maker and films made by you. this is a brilliant piece of art. You have created something like a Indian fight club or Indian sin city...
Thirdly... Goddamn all the audiences who didn't like the movie!!!! Why does something obscure happenings be impalpable to u turds?? Why everything has to be spoon fed to u to understand what is being shown? Why is this obscure to u and why isn't 50 people bursting into choreographed dance & song sequences seem normal?
Finally, yes, arguably the best movie of the year...
Warning: This nauseating movie is far harmful than a cigarette!
Simply amazing
- saurabhrhere
- Nov 1, 2007
- Permalink