View source for No Smoking (2007 film)

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = No Smoking
| image          = No Smoking (Poster).jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Anurag Kashyap]]
| producer       = Kumar Mangat Pathak <br />[[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| story          = Anurag Kashyap <br /> [[Raj Singh Chaudhary]]
| screenplay     = Anurag Kashyap
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Quitters, Inc.]]'' (1978)|[[Stephen King]]}}
| starring       = [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]] <br />[[Ayesha Takia]] <br />[[Paresh Rawal]]<br />[[Ranvir Shorey]]
| music          = Vishal Bhardwaj
| cinematography = [[Rajeev Ravi]]
| editing        = [[Aarti Bajaj]]
| studio         = Big Screen Entertainment and Eros International
| distributor    = [[Eros International]]
| released       = {{Film date|2007|10|26|df=y}}
| runtime        = 127 minutes
| country        = India
| language       = Hindi
| budget         = {{INRConvert|23|c}}
| gross          = {{INRConvert|3|c}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/bwmEEnWusJRuQ3K93FlOKN/Ten-Bollywood-directors-who-found-success-late.html |title=Here are 10 directors who didn't taste success in the first few attempts, but are at the top of the game today |last=Jha |first=Lata |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref>
}}
'''''No Smoking''''' is a 2007 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[thriller film]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/no-smoking-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0znzyzmdy|title=No Smoking|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref> written and directed by [[Anurag Kashyap]] and co-produced by [[Vishal Bhardwaj]] and Kumar Mangat. The film stars [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]], [[Ayesha Takia]], [[Ranvir Shorey]] and [[Paresh Rawal]] in the lead roles, while [[Bipasha Basu]] appears in an [[Item number]].<ref>{{cite news |title=No Smoking Cast & Crew |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/201583 |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> The film is loosely based upon the 1978 short story "[[Quitters, Inc.]]" by [[Stephen King]], which was previously adapted as one of three segments featured in [[Cinema of United States|Hollywood]] [[anthology film]], ''[[Cat's Eye (1985 film)|Cat's Eye]]'' (1985). It became the second Indian film after ''[[Julie Ganapathi]]'' and first Hindi-language film to be [[Media based on Stephen King works|adapted from a Stephen King's work]].<ref name=ns1>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-inspiration-behind-anurag-kashyap-films/20120621.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=21 June 2012 |title=The Inspiration Behind Anurag Kashyap's Films}}</ref> The story follows K ([[John Abraham (actor)|Abraham]]), a self-obsessed, narcissist [[Chain smoking|chain smoker]] who agrees to [[Smoking cessation|kick his habit]] to save his marriage and visits a [[Drug rehabilitation|rehabilitation centre]], but is caught in a [[labyrinth]] game by Baba Bengali ([[Paresh Rawal|Rawal]]), the man who guarantees he will make him quit.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/bollywood/2007/09/no_smoking_preview.shtml |publisher=[[BBC]] |author=Manish Gajjar |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=10 October 2007}}</ref><ref name=ns3>{{cite web |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/titles/nos/no-smoking/mid_24772/preview/ |publisher=Apunkachoice |access-date=11 August 2012 |title=No Smoking preview}}</ref>

The film released worldwide on 26 October 2007, but was met with a lukewarm response from Indian [[Film critic|critics]] and mixed response from overseas critics.<ref name=ns9>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/entertainment/Biased-criticism-doesn-t-help-Anurag-Kashyap/Article1-254812.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313015542/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/entertainment/Biased-criticism-doesn-t-help-Anurag-Kashyap/Article1-254812.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 March 2014 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=16 August 2012 |date=30 October 2007 |title=Biased criticism doesn't help: Anurag Kashyap}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lashing from critics for 'No Smoking' hurt: Anurag Kashyap |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2008/01/06/lashing-from-critics-for-no-smoking-hurt-anurag-kashyap-1199601142.html |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |access-date=16 August 2012 |date=6 January 2008}}</ref> The film did not perform well at the [[box office]] either, becoming one of the major disasters of the year.<ref name=ns10>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-10/did-you-know-/28543177_1_anurag-kashyap-smoking-satya |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103104918/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-10/did-you-know-/28543177_1_anurag-kashyap-smoking-satya |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 August 2012 |date=10 February 2011 |title=Anurag Kashyap's 'No Smoking'}}</ref> According to Kashyap, the film failed because, it was considered much ahead of its time, courtesy of its dark and unusual storyline comprising with elements of [[Surrealist cinema|surrealism]], [[fantasy]], [[dream]], [[reality]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Anurag's Saif option |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-30/news-interviews/27972064 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103085408/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-30/news-interviews/27972064 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|author=Sandipan Dalal |access-date=12 August 2012 |date=30 November 2007}}</ref> [[Horror film|horror]] and [[dark humour]] which left critics and the cinema-goers baffled, this was frowned upon by Indian audiences, as it was unconventional, pretentious and they had never seen anything like it.<ref name=ns2>{{cite web |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/interviews/20080107-0.html |publisher=Apunkachoice |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=7 January 2008 |title=Critics failed to understand 'No Smoking': Anurag Kashyap}}</ref> But in later years, the film received positive reviews and has become a [[cult]] film.

''No Smoking'' was nominated at several award ceremonies in 2008, primarily for the technical aspects of the film, including three [[Filmfare award|Filmfare Award]] nominations. Before a full cinematic release in India, the film was invited to be screened at the [[Rome Film Festival]] where it won huge appreciation from the audience and critics alike.<ref name=ns9/><ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking in Rome |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/25john.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=14 August 2012 |date=25 October 2007}}</ref> In 2011, the film was played at several film festivals in [[India]] and [[China]], receiving unanimous applause and praise, as well as winning a number of awards.<ref name=ns8>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|author=Shree Misra |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=20 July 2011 |title=No Smoking wins awards at Indian Film Festival |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/news-interviews/29794341|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103110411/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/news-interviews/29794341|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013}}</ref>

==Plot==
The film begins with a man waking up in decrepit old house in an unknown area. He gets a call from his wife inquiring where he is. Unaware of his location, he searches the house for a cigarette. He accidentally opens a room and finds it filled with Russian soldiers. One of them starts chasing him and opens fire at him. He gets shot in the leg and jumps into a bathtub he finds in the snow.
The man wakes up in a bathtub. He is revealed to be K ([[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]]), a wealthy businessman in his 30s. He is confident, narcissistic and very arrogant, and also completely addicted to smoking. He smokes almost constantly - at work, at home, even in the bath and while having sex. His friends and family beg him to quit, but to no avail. K's friend Abbas ([[Ranvir Shorey]]) and his doctor ([[Kiku Sharda]]), offer to set up an appointment at a rehabilitation centre called 'Prayogshaala' ('The Laboratory'), which they claim will surely rid K of his habit. K finally relents after his wife Anjali ([[Ayesha Takia]]) leaves him, unable to take the strain K's smoking addiction places on their relationship.

K decides to check out Prayogshaala, and meets Shri Shri Prakash Guru Ghantal Baba Bengali Sealdahwale ([[Paresh Rawal]]). The centre operates behind the front of another business, 'Kalkatta Karpets'. K finds the building to be unconventional and confusing, similar to a [[Labyrinth]]. The method Prayogshaala uses to cure their patients of their addiction is based on fear and psychological manipulation. Each time a patient gives in to their vice, Baba makes sure that something shocking happens to them.

# Almost killing a loved one, by keeping him / her in a chamber full of cigarette smoke the person has smoked in his entire life, for a duration of 5 minutes.
# Losing a finger.
# Death of a loved one.
# Taking the soul of the person from his body, although this offense is described very loosely.

K initially refuses to sign the contract and pay the fee of {{INR}}21,11,110 for his treatment but is forced to do so by Baba and his disciples. Baba then tells K that he is free to leave, but he must abide by the rules or he will suffer the consequences. K witnesses other members of the group as they try to quit smoking. Many end up losing fingers as they cannot resist the urge to smoke. K tries to keep to the terms but fails twice and is punished. He is now very conscious about the third time.

After some time, K meets an old friend, Alex, who is now a Cuban cigar seller. At an event, K is forced to place a cigar in his mouth, in order to appease his friend. Seconds later, he receives a phone call from the police, who inform him that his wife is missing and possibly dead. He calls Baba and is told that for smoking, his wife will be killed, as per the rules. He protests that he did not actually smoke and Baba apologizes for the mistake, but says it is too late. K asks Baba to tell the police about this, but the line goes dead and the phone number is non-existent on dialling. K's protests are ignored and the police believe that he is delusional. Trying to prove his story, he seeks out Abbas, who had lost a finger at the rehabilitation centre, only to find that the man has all fingers intact. Mocking him, the police force K to smoke. Shortly afterwards, K gets a phone call that his brother committed suicide due to his smoking habit. K raves angrily at the police and is thrown in the jail.

K is eventually bailed out. Soon, he learns that Baba permits sins and vices to be done during a period known as 'Zero Minute'. He attends an event, where he sees Baba, but is unable to reach him. K decides to light a cigarette. Suddenly, K wakes up in a Russian army base, with a call from his wife. She asks him why he believes she is dead. K is confused, but escapes from the base by jumping into water and ends up in a ragged room, from which he sees himself staring out from a hospital room. He also sees his wife and Baba. He calls out but no one can hear him, and he is told that it is because his body no longer hears his inner soul. The final punishment is complete.

In a series of haphazard events, the twisted path of K's soul is shown, until it finally reaches his body once again. K wakes up in his home to find his wife sleeping near him. He also discovers that he is missing two fingers. Later, K is seen recommending the "Prayogshala" centre to a friend.

==Cast==
* [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]] as K, a [[Ego (spirituality)|self-obsessed]], [[wikt:smart aleck|smart aleck]], [[narcissist]], chain smoker who agrees to [[quit smoking]] for his wife, but is caught up in the game of Baba Bengali in the process, after he refuses to co-operate.<ref name=ns3/><ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking film gallery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/image_galleries/no_smoking_gallery.shtml?1 |publisher=[[BBC Films]] |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=October 2007}}</ref>
* [[Ayesha Takia]] as Anjali / Annie, the wife of K, who is fed up of his habit and forcefully tries to make him quit by threatening to leave him.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking film gallery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/image_galleries/no_smoking_gallery.shtml?2 |publisher=[[BBC Films]] |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Annie is the secretary of K, who seems to have a crush on him and looks exactly the same as Anjali. Throughout the movie, it is implied she happens to be both Annie and Anjali as K liked spreading rumors in the office about their affairs.
* [[Paresh Rawal]] as [[Shri]] Shri Prakash Guru Ghantal Baba Bengali Sealdahwale, the film's main [[antagonist]], who is extremely mysterious, yet very clever and powerful. He forcefully makes people quit smoking, otherwise bad things keep on happening in their lives. He knows at all times if someone is breaking his agreement, even if they are in another country, or [[no man's land]].<ref name=ns3/>
* [[Ranvir Shorey]] as Abbas Tyerwalla, the friend of K, who was also the one to introduce him to smoking. He recommends the Prayogshala (Laboratory) to K, as he himself had to learn to quit smoking from Baba Bengali.<ref name=ns3/>
* [[Kiku Sharda]] as the doctor and another friend of K, who learnt to quit smoking from Baba Bengali.
* Joy Fernandes as Alex
* [[Rasika Dugal]] in a [[Character actor|character role]]
* [[Anurag Kashyap]] as man in the elevator (uncredited)
* [[Vikramaditya Motwane]] as an employee in K's office
* [[Gajraj Rao (actor)|Gajraj Rao]] as drunk man outside the restaurant.
* [[Jesse Randhawa]] in a [[item number|special appearance]] as a dancer in the song "''Jab Bhi Cigarette''"
* [[Bipasha Basu]] in an [[Item number]] "''Phook De''" (during the [[closing credits]])

==Production==
===Development===
The idea for the film came during the making of ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' (1998), when director [[Ram Gopal Varma]] pitched a story about a chain smoker's encounter with someone who despises smoking. Varma later incorporated his own idea of the story as a short segment in his anthology film, ''[[Darna Mana Hai]]'' (2003). During the shooting of Kashyap's ''[[Black Friday (2007 film)|Black Friday]]'', his assistant narrated him a different script about a chain smoker who wakes up without cigarettes and is unable to get any because of a curfew.<ref name=ns10/> Kashyap decided to take the story forward, taking inspiration from ''Quitters, Inc.'' and a surreal moment from ''Cats Eye'', subsequently making him develop the story into a darker and more unreal version.

===Casting===
After the scripting was complete in 2006, Kashyap narrated the film to [[Shah Rukh Khan]], who was keen to do the film but later would back out for unknown reasons. When the deal fell through Kashyap who was in bad shape at the time, as one of his films were delayed and the other stuck in production, he tried to get a hold of all the top actors, though none of them responded except for Abraham.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking passes from Shahrukh to John |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/gupshup/2007/no-smoking-shahrukh-john-abraham-041007.html |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |author=Taran Adarsh |author-link=Taran Adarsh |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=4 October 2007}}</ref> [[Vishal Bhardwaj]], Kashyap's friend and producer of the film recommended [[Saif Ali Khan]], as he was part of the smoking segment in ''Darna Mana Hai'', though Kashyap had already finalised Abraham. Later false reports surfaced that Saif will be appearing in a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]], on the request of co-producer Kumar Mangat, who worked together in ''[[Omkara (2006 film)|Omkara]]'' (2006).<ref>{{cite news |title=Saif and Bipasha: No butts please |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-21/news-interviews/27990194_1_saif-ali-khan-bipasha-basu-saif-and-bipasha |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103065505/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-21/news-interviews/27990194_1_saif-ali-khan-bipasha-basu-saif-and-bipasha |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=11 August 2012 |date=21 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Saif Ali Khan is not doing 'No Smoking' |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070726-2.html |publisher=Apunkachoice |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=26 July 2007}}</ref>

Due to the film having a complex storyline, when Kashyap was auditioning Abraham, he read him a badly written fake script titled ''Lapata'' (Lost), which Abraham declined to. After which he read him the real script of ''No Smoking'', he immediately agreed to do it.<ref>{{cite web |title='No Smoking will create a genre |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/23slid4.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Patcy N |date=23 October 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref> Initially Takia was not comfortable with the love making scenes and the clothes of the secretary (Annie), though Kashyap refused to make any changes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our cinema is immature |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/24anurag.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Patcy N |access-date=14 August 2012 |date=24 October 2007}}</ref> There is also a scene where Abraham is seen nude from rear, this stirred up some controversy.<ref>{{cite news |title=John Abraham to do a nude scene for No Smoking |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1179640/John-Abraham-to-do-a-nude-scene-for-No-Smoking |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=14 August 2012 |date=19 October 2006}}</ref> Abraham who had previously quit smoking, smoked up to 90 cigarettes a day during the shooting to give the film a more believable look. Later when the film was complete, Abraham went for an X-ray and found his lungs were heavily damaged.<ref>{{cite web |title=Smoking turns John Abraham's lungs black |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/features/2007/john-lungs-turns-black-191007.html |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |author=Upala KBR |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=19 October 2007}}</ref>

Originally director [[Rajkumar Santoshi]] was set to make his acting debut by playing the role of the doctor, and writer [[Abbas Tyrewala]] was to play the role later given to Shorey, hence Kashyap named the character after the writer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rajkumar Santoshi to act in No Smoking |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1174279 |publisher=[[India Fm]] |date=31 October 2006 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>

===Filming===
Most of the filming was done in unique ways. In one scene where Abraham and Shorey are seen as teenagers smoking [[Marijuana]], most directors would have used child actors but Kashyap decided instead to alter the appearance of the actors and make them improvise and behave as kids themselves.<ref>{{cite web |title='No Smoking' defies convention |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20071025-4.html |publisher=Apunkachoice |author=Nikhil Kumar |access-date=16 August 2012 |date=23 September 2007}}</ref>

The film was also shot in parts of the [[Russian Federation]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Uzbekistan]] and [[Siberia]], in extremely cold climates with temperatures of minus 25 [[Celsius|degrees Celsius]] (°C), despite this none of the crew members had any problems during the shooting.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking to be shot in Russia |url=http://businessofcinema.com/bollywood-news/ino-smokingi-to-be-shot-in-russia/ |publisher=Businessofcinema |author=Johnny Vaz |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=12 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=John Abraham shoots in chilly climate |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070122-2.html |publisher=Apunkachoice |access-date=14 August 2012 |date=22 January 2007}}</ref> During the shooting in Uzbekistan, a Russian actor dressed as a soldier had to chase Abraham. After running 200 meters the man collapsed, as the shooting was on high altitudes, there was a lack of oxygen. He had to be rushed to the hospital, as he had stopped breathing.<ref>{{cite web |title=I am doing films that are more meaningful |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/23slid4.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Patcy N |date=23 October 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
====India====
The film was heavily panned by Indian critics. ''[[Sify]]'' gave it 2 out of 5 stars saying "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. John makes a sincere attempt to leave a mark and succeeds to an extent. Really, one wonders, what prompted John to instantly approve this bizarre story".<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/no-smoking-review-bollywood-14549765.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422174903/http://www.sify.com/movies/no-smoking-review-bollywood-14549765.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2014 |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=27 October 2007}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of ''[[IBN Live]]'' giving it 1.5/5 said "What the director gives us is an extremely arrogant piece of work that reeks of over-confidence and self-proclaimed genius. How else do you explain the intentionally incohesive screenplay, the bizarre dialogue, and the blatant disregard for the viewer's time and patience?".<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking Review |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-no-smoking-is-a-colossal-disappointment/51232-8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129223058/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-no-smoking-is-a-colossal-disappointment/51232-8.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2009 |publisher=[[IBN Live]] |author=Rajeev Masand |author-link=Rajeev Masand |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=27 October 2007}}</ref> [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[Times of India]]'' also gave it 1.5/5 stars and said "''No Smoking'' leaves you completely baffled and desperately looking for logic in its surreal sequences of John in a jaded jail, John in a tunnel, John in a bathtub, John in Siberia-like surroundings".<ref>{{cite news |title=No Smoking |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/No-Smoking/movie-review/2493801.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|author=Nikhat Kazmi|author-link=Nikhat Kazmi|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> Indu Mirani from ''[[DNA India]]'' rated it 1.5/5 saying "There is a fine line between intelligence and indulgence and with ''No Smoking'', director Anurag Kashyap crosses it often. It’s not like he has made a rank bad film, but 'No Smoking' is so influenced by graphic novels and Neil Gaiman books, that understanding its plot's many forward and backward movements would be out of the scope of the layman".<ref>{{cite news |title=No smoking |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mobile/report.php?n=1130068 |newspaper=[[DNA India]] |author=Indu Mirani |date=26 October 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref> [[Khalid Mohamed]] of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' rated it 1 star and said "Too in-depth man, too in-depth, puffing, driving, the sex act, fingers being chopped. Kcuf, kcuf. What’s happening out here? You can’t make out, you don’t care, and you’re fed up of the affectations, the self-indulgence."<ref>{{cite news |title=Review: No Smoking |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Review-No-Smoking/Article1-254292.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116044606/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Review-No-Smoking/Article1-254292.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2011 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |author=Khalid Mohamed |author-link=Khalid Mohamed |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=26 October 2007}}</ref> [[Taran Adarsh]] from ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' giving it 1 out of 5 said "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. What ails ''No Smoking'', did you ask. Simple, it's the most complicated cinematic experience of 2007. On the whole, ''No Smoking'' fails miserably. Very disappointing!".<ref>{{cite news |title=No Smoking |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201583 |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |author=Taran Adarsh |author-link=Taran Adarsh |access-date=23 August 2012 |date=26 October 2007}}</ref> Prithviraj Hegde of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' gave the film 0 stars and said "The movie unfolds like a bad dream and spins into a downward spiral that's unreal, incomprehensible and leaves you dazed. And as you may have gathered, I still have no clue what the movie was about."<ref>{{cite web |title=No smoking |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/26smoke.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Prithviraj Hegde |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=26 October 2007}}</ref> On the contrary, [[Chandril Bhattacharya]] of [[Anandabazar Patrika]] praised the movie uninhibitedly and described the film as first of its kind in India and historical.<ref>{{cite web |title=Collar tola chhobi |url=http://archives.anandabazar.com/archive/1071110/11rabimag.htm |publisher=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |author=chandril bhattacharya |access-date=23 August 2012 |date=11 November 2007}}</ref> Aesthetically and culturally significant, it is extremely unfortunate No Smoking was not sent as India’s official selection at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language film. Instead, in 2012 ''No Smoking'' was voted no. 2 on the list of: "The Ten Worst Films of John Abraham" by ''[[Rediff.com]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ten Worst Films of John Abraham |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-9-the-ten-worst-films-of-john-abraham/20120410.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Sukanya Verma |date=10 April 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>

====Overseas====
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, the film has received 46% fresh rating, indicating mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking(2007) - Rotten Tomatoes |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1192358-1192358-no_smoking |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> Phelim O'Neill of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave it 3 out of 5 saying "While no screen credit is offered to [[Stephen King|King]], it's clear his tale directly forms this film's basis, making it kind of a first for [[Indian cinema]]. It could be the beginning of a trend. While a slack pace, unsettled internal logic and a goofy subplot undo much of director Kashyap's hard work.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Smoking |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/26/bollywood.horror |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |author=Phelim O'Neill |access-date=10 August 2012 |date=26 October 2007}}</ref> ''[[Film 4]]'' also rated it 3 out of 5 stars and said "Those whose concept of Bollywood involves elephants, saris and dance numbers might be pleasantly surprised by Anurag Kashyap's film, a slick thriller that combines a screwball sensibility with a nightmarish twist".<ref>{{cite web |title=No smoking review |url=http://www.film4.com/reviews/2007/no-smoking |publisher=[[Film 4]] |access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> Tajpal Rathore from ''[[BBC Films]] ''gave it 1 out of 5 and said "''No Smoking'' is a surprisingly sincere effort, but shouldn't make your life feel any more fulfilled, even if you are a smoker. The shoddy screenplay is stale, and its situations laughable, and though the actors' give it their all, it just doesn't light up in the end. No smoke, and no fire, in what is ultimately a bit of a drag".<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking (2007) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/10/22/no_smoking_2007_review.shtml#rating |publisher=[[BBC Films]] |author=Tajpal Rathore |access-date=10 August 2012 |date=22 October 2007}}</ref>

===Box office===
The film was screened in private a day before its release, as most of the audience could not decipher the film, they left, which resulted in a negative word of the mouth spreading. The film was further affected from negative critical reception.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jab We Met gives Box Office a breather |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/box-office/2007/jab-we-met-rules-box-office-051107.html |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |author=Taran Adarsh |author-link=Taran Adarsh |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=5 November 2007}}</ref> ''No Smoking'' opened to a poor response at the box office, and was one of the biggest disasters of the year.<ref>{{cite web |title='Jab We Met' Succeeds; 'No Smoking' Sinks; 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' Races To 41 crores |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/BoxOffice/index.php?id=49 |publisher=Planet Bollywood |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=2 November 2007}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[53rd Filmfare Awards]]
* Nominated: [[Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction]] - [[Wasiq Khan]]
* Nominated: [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer]] - [[Rajeev Ravi]]
* Nominated: [[Filmfare Award for Best Special Effects]] - Sudeepto Bose<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudeepto Bose VFX artist |url=http://www.sudeepto.com |publisher=SudeeptoBose}}</ref>

==Impact and legacy==
{{Quote box
| quote = "I was extremely angry and bitter after ''No Smoking''. People reviewed me rather than the movie. It was a new kind of film and while it was getting international recognition, in my own country it was being ripped apart. I learnt a lesson though and it was that if you have to do something new, you have to go step by step. First and foremost, look at how the film would recover money. ''No Smoking'' was an expensive film and it hurts".
| source = [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s reaction to the failure of ''No Smoking''.<ref name=ns4/>
| width = 35%
}}

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:No Smoking.JPG|right|230px|thumb|Famous scene of K (Abraham) sitting in the bathtub.]] -->
The film was made on huge budget and at the time when it sank at the box office, the director Kashyap fell into depression not expecting the critics to lash at it.<ref name=ns4/> He admitted that most of the audience expected to see a film about quitting smoking and that pre-release, the extensively played item song featuring Basu gave audience the wrong type of image as they expected her to play the lead role opposite Abraham.<ref name=ns2/> In 2011, Kashyap stated that ''No Smoking'' was his favourite, of all his films.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anurag Kashyap: I loved No Smoking the most |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-part-two-interview-of-anurag-kashyap/20110905.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Aseem Chhabra |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>

''No Smoking'' has garnered a strong [[Cult film|cult following]], among Kashyap's fans and movie buffs, who rate it as one of the most abstract stories, which can have [[Aesthetic interpretation|multiple interpretations]].<ref name=ns7>{{cite magazine |url=http://forbesindia.com/blog/life/i-dont-try-to-make-cult-films-anurag-kashyap/ |magazine=[[Forbes|Forbes India]] |author=Abhishek Raghunath |access-date=9 August 2012 |date=1 January 2012 |title=I Don't Try to Make Cult Films: Anurag Kashyap}}</ref> The film has seen more positive response from overseas than in India,<ref name=ns4>{{cite web |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/09/feb/12-i-was-extremely-angry-n-bitter-after-no-smoking-020909.asp |publisher=Glamsham |author=Sampurn |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=12 February 2009 |title=Anurag Kashyap: I was extremely angry & bitter after No Smoking}}</ref> though the audience now views it as a modern masterpiece, critical reception has still not improved. It is often compared to the films of [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] director [[David Lynch]], who is known for his cult surrealistic films.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Anurag Kashyap is like Bhansali |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/15rs.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |author=Raja Sen |access-date=16 August 2012 |date=15 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gangs of Wasseypur - Gags of Wasseypur |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3754000.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |author=Sudhish Kamath |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |access-date=16 August 2012 |date=11 August 2012}}</ref>

''No Smoking'' has been played at several [[Film festivals]]. It was played at the Indian film festival and won multiple awards, after being repeatedly screened. The film was also played at various venues in [[Beijing]] ([[China]]) and [[Rome]].<ref name=ns8/>

===Interpretations===
''No Smoking'' is notable as being the only [[Bollywood]] film which can have multiple interpretations.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is your Interpretation |url=http://interpretationofnosmoking.blogspot.in/2010/03/interpretaion-of-no-smoking-by-anurag.html |publisher=blogspot |access-date=1 February 2015 |date=8 March 2010}}</ref> Kashyap explained that the film has nothing to do with quitting smoking but relatively about the state of mind, which refers to the [[Mood (psychology)|mood]] or the [[Mental health|mental state]] of the film's [[protagonist]], K. He has left it upon the audience themselves to make their own interpretations and speculate what transpires.<ref name=ns5>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/anurag-kashyap-no-smoking-is-a-state-of-mind-news-bollywood-kkfuyRbdibj.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202080957/http://www.sify.com/movies/anurag-kashyap-no-smoking-is-a-state-of-mind-news-bollywood-kkfuyRbdibj.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2013 |website=[[Sify]] |author=Sonia Chopra |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=26 October 2007 |title=Anurag Kashyap: No Smoking is a state of mind}}</ref><ref name=ns6>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/30anurag.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=30 October 2007 |title=The director's guide to No Smoking}}</ref> There are many unofficial [[blog]]s on the internet by fans trying to solve the film's meaning.

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = No Smoking
| type       = [[Album]]
| artist     = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = {{start date|df=yes|2007|09}} (India)
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length     =
| label      = [[Eros Labs|Eros Entertainment]]
| producer   = Kumar Mangat & [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| prev_title = [[Omkara (2006 film)|Omkara]]
| prev_year  = 2006
| next_title = [[U, Me Aur Hum]]
| next_year  = 2008
}}

The official soundtrack was composed by [[Vishal Bhardwaj]] who also co-produced the film. Background Score was done by Hitesh Sonik & [[Clinton Cerejo]]. The lyrics were penned by [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking songs |url=http://ww.smashits.com/no-smoking/songs-6592.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=18 August 2012}}</ref> The music rights were sold to [[Eros Entertainment]] and were released in September 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking(Music) - Erosentertainment |work=Music Review |url=http://music.erosentertainment.com/musicstore/Search_Result.asp?Page=11 |publisher=Eros Music |access-date=14 October 2007}}</ref> The album is available to download from [[iTunes Store|iTunes]].<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking - EP (Original Soundtrack) |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/no-smoking-ep-original-soundtrack/id264976991 |publisher=[[iTunes Store]] |access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref>

===Track listing===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Song !! Singer(s)!! Lyricist !! Duration
|-
|"Phook De" (Club Mix)
| [[Rekha Bhardwaj]]
| [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]
| 5:15
|-
| "Kash Laga"
| [[Sukhwinder Singh]], [[Daler Mehndi]], [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| Gulzar
| 5:47
|-
| "Ash Tray"
| Deva Sengupta
| Gulzar
| 4:39
|-
| "Phook De"
| Sukhwinder Singh
| Gulzar
| 5:55
|-
| "Jab Bhi Ciggaret"
| [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]
| Gulzar
| 5:06
|-
| "Jab Bhi Ciggaret" (Jazz)
| [[Adnan Sami]]
| Gulzar
| 5:03
|-
|}

===Reception===
The soundtrack album received critical acclaim. Abhishek Singh from ''Planet Bollywood'' said "Over all, as expected, the music turns out to be daringly different and in complete contrast to anything that you might have ever listened. Almost all the songs carry the message of the film along and for that reason only, one can’t be sure of this album on a stand alone basis but seen alongside the concept of the movie, it sure hits the bulls eye".<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking music review |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=101407073113 |publisher=Planet Bollywood |access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> Joginder Tuteja from ''[[India Fm]]'' said "With music by Vishal Bhardwaj and lyrics by Gulzar saab, one expects an unconventional soundtrack in the offering. Well, unconventional it is and in at least a couple of places, exciting too! This has to be one of the most original tracks ever written. 'Jab Bhi Cigarette' is the opening song of the album and may well be termed as the title song of the album".<ref>{{cite web |title=No Smoking - Music Review |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/music/reviews/2007/no-smoking-music-review-021107.html |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |author=Joginder Tuteja |access-date=11 August 2012 |date=2 November 2007}}</ref> Satyajit from ''Glamsham'' said "''No Smoking'' dares to be different for chartering unexplored territories and have surprises in raucously driven vivacious tracks like "Phoonk De" and "Jab Bhi Cigarette". [[Rekha Bhardwaj]]'s peculiar nasal twang will be garnering major spotlight in "Phoonk De" (club mix) with chartbusting success after her subtle and submissive ''[[Laaga Chunari Mein Daag]]''".<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Review : No Smoking |url=http://www.glamsham.com/music/reviews/13_music_review_no_smoking_100701.asp |publisher=Glamsham |author=Satyajit |access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref>

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

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0995740|No Smoking}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|1192358-1192358-no_smoking|No Smoking}}

{{Anurag Kashyap}}
{{Media based on Stephen King works}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:No Smoking (2007 Film)}}
[[Category:2007 films]]
[[Category:2007 psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2000s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Smoking cessation]]
[[Category:Films directed by Anurag Kashyap]]
[[Category:Indian neo-noir films]]
[[Category:Films based on short fiction]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Russia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vishal Bhardwaj]]
[[Category:Indian psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Anurag Kashyap]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Stephen King]]
[[Category:Films shot in Siberia]]