Director: Anurag Kashyap
Screenplay: Anurag Kashyap
The only mistake Anurag did with No Smoking is to release it in 2007, 11-12 years early. The audience, as well as critics, were not ready for this kind of script. I think this is the only reason such a beautiful film was such a big flop. Still, I am happy that this film has a certain fan following. The film is adapted from Stephen King's Quitters, Inc.
The film starts with K (John Aabraham) waking up in a cabin in Siberia and getting killed by a military man while running for his cigarettes and finally waking up in his own bathtub in his own bathroom. Further, in the film, his wife (Ayesha Takia) asks K who is a chain-smoker to quit smoking and threatens to leave him if he does not quit. He then joins a rehabilitation center called 'Prayogshala' run by Paresh Rawal. Prayogshala has some bizarre techniques to make people quit smoking which includes punishments like chopping off his fingers and torturing his family.
But the film is not about the script only, the film's soul is hidden behind the script and we need to find it. This film is not made so that audience can just relax and enjoy it. The film asks viewers involvement and his own understanding of what he is seeing on the screen. Because whatever shown in the film is not practically possible. The things happening on the screen is just a metaphor for a very different and big thought.
The only mistake Anurag did with No Smoking is to release it in 2007, 11-12 years early. The audience, as well as critics, were not ready for this kind of script. I think this is the only reason such a beautiful film was such a big flop. Still, I am happy that this film has a certain fan following. The film is adapted from Stephen King's Quitters, Inc.
The film starts with K (John Aabraham) waking up in a cabin in Siberia and getting killed by a military man while running for his cigarettes and finally waking up in his own bathtub in his own bathroom. Further, in the film, his wife (Ayesha Takia) asks K who is a chain-smoker to quit smoking and threatens to leave him if he does not quit. He then joins a rehabilitation center called 'Prayogshala' run by Paresh Rawal. Prayogshala has some bizarre techniques to make people quit smoking which includes punishments like chopping off his fingers and torturing his family.
But the film is not about the script only, the film's soul is hidden behind the script and we need to find it. This film is not made so that audience can just relax and enjoy it. The film asks viewers involvement and his own understanding of what he is seeing on the screen. Because whatever shown in the film is not practically possible. The things happening on the screen is just a metaphor for a very different and big thought.
Partly comedy and partly thriller No Smoking is a piece of art which will force you to think if you really want to understand. This is not a regular clichè Bollywood film. Actors performances could have been much better. Gulzar's lyrics and Vishal Bharadwaj's music is not great but it is according to the film and adds to the thrill while watching it. Again, it was a bold and difficult film, especially for Anurag Kashyap. A must watch for an intellectual audience.
Article by: Gaurav Dhakate
