No Smoking (2007 film)

No Smoking is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language black comedy thriller film written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, and produced by Vishal Bhardwaj. The film stars John Abraham, Ayesha Takia, Paresh Rawal and Ranvir Shorey. The film follows K (Abraham), a self-obsessed, narcissist chain smoker who agrees to quit smoking to save his marriage and visits a rehabilitation centre to assuage his wife (Takia) and friend (Shorey), only to be caught up in a labyrinthine plot by Baba Bangali (Rawal), the man who guarantees that he will make him quit by any means necessary.

Taking inspiration from Stephen King's "Quitters, Inc.", Kashyap pitched the idea to Bhardwaj, who wanted to produce for him, and Abraham, who wanted to work with him, both of whom accepted, and the rest of the cast followed. Principal photography took place in Dharavi, Mumbai, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. Bhardwaj also composed the music, while the lyrics were written by Gulzar. The film's themes include freedom, privacy, surveillance, and politico-religious methods of autocratic figures to suppress people's rights.

No Smoking premiered at the Rome Film Festival on 24 October 2007, before its general release on 26 October. The film received negative reviews and bombed at the box-office, grossing ₹3.49 crore (equivalent to ₹11 crore or US$1.2 million in 2023) against a budget of ₹7.50 crore (equivalent to ₹23 crore or US$2.7 million in 2023). It has since gained a cult following. Abraham has repeatedly expressed interest in a sequel.

K, a wealthy businessman in his 30s, is confident, narcissistic, arrogant, and completely addicted to smoking, so much so that he even smokes in the bath. K's friends, Abbas and the doctor, offer to set up an appointment at a rehabilitation centre called Prayogshaala (lit. 'Laboratory'), but K ignores their advice. His addiction puts severe strain on his relationship with his wife Anjali. After K cannot even make love to her without having to stop to light up a cigarette, she leaves him.

K realises his problem and decides to check out Prayogshaala, and meets Shri Shri Prakash Guru Ghantal Baba Bangali Sealdah Wale, who runs it. 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, which includes:

1. Almost killing one of his loved ones, by keeping them in a chamber full of cigarette smoke he has smoked in his entire life for five minutes,
2. Losing his finger,
3. Killing one of his loved ones,
4. Taking his soul.

K is forced to pay the fee of ₹21,11,110 for his treatment 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 tries to keep to the terms but fails twice, and is punished. He is now 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 to appease Alex. Seconds later, he receives a phone call from the police, informing him that his wife is missing. 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 that it is too late. K asks Baba to tell the police about this, but the line dies out, and the phone number is non-existent on dialling. K's protests are ignored and the police believe that he is delusional. Trying to make them believe, he seeks out Abbas, who had lost a finger, only to find that he has all of his fingers intact. Mocking him, the police force K to smoke. Shortly afterwards, K gets a phone call about his brother committing suicide due to his smoking. K raves angrily at the police and is thrown in jail, but is eventually bailed out.

K learns that Baba permits smoking during a period known as 'Zero Minute'. He attends such an event, where he lights up 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. Confused, K escapes from the base by jumping into the 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.

K wakes up in his home, his wife sleeping beside him. He finds out that he is missing two fingers. In a mid-credits scene, K, who has since gotten his finger back, is seen recommending Prayogshaala to a friend.

• John Abraham as K
• Ayesha Takia as
  • Anjali, K's wife
  • Annie, K's secretary
• Paresh Rawal as Shri Shri Prakash Guru Ghantal Baba Bangali Sealdah Wale
• Ranvir Shorey as Abbas Tyrewala, a friend of K

• Kiku Sharda as the doctor, a friend of K
• Jesse Randhawa as the dancer in the song "Jab Bhi"
• Gajraj Rao as R. K. Dhindra
• Rasika Dugal as Suzi (credited as Rasika Duggal)
• Priyanka Bose as Sarah
• Shlok Sharma as an office employee
• Vikramaditya Motwane as the employee who resigns (credited as Vikram Aditya Motwane)
• Bipasha Basu as the dancer in the song "Phoonk De"
• Anurag Kashyap as the man in the elevator (uncredited)^[1]

The idea for the film came during the making of Satya (1998), when director Ram Gopal Varma pitched a story to Anurag Kashyap, the film's writer, 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), 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.^[2] Taking inspiration from Stephen King's "Quitters, Inc." (1978), Kashyap decided to take the story forward.^[1][3] The film had a personal significance for him as his first two directorial efforts Paanch (2003) and Black Friday went unreleased and people were telling him to "quit."^[4] When asked if Cat's Eye (1985), an American anthology horror film that adapted "Quitters, Inc." as one of its segments, was an inspiration, he replied that he hadn't watched it until after the script was complete.^[1] Remarking that the film has a universal subject, Kashyap further said that since none of his films were released up until that point, he shot the movie in "a lot of anger," and that he was "defying the system" by making the film.^[5] The film is an Indian production^[6][7] and was distributed by Eros International.^[8]

Kashyap approached actors through short messaging service;^[10] John Abraham replied back, because Deepa Mehta, the director of his Oscar-nominated Water (2005), for which Kashyap penned the dialogues, told him that he must work with Kashyap.^[4][11] Thinking that Abraham would not be able to understand the idea, and afraid of throwing away the chance, he narrated him an idea which he came up on his way to Abraham's residence, titled Lapata (lit. 'Lost'), after which Abraham told him that he expected something more intelligent from Kashyap. Thrilled, Kashyap told him about No Smoking, which the actor ended up loving. Lapata later formed the basis for Kashyap's Ugly (2013). Kashyap claimed that Abraham was trying to rediscover himself; this propelled him to accept the film, alongside Kabul Express (2006), Taxi No. 9211 (2006), Goal (2007), Aashayein (2010) and Water.^[4][10] Abraham provided Kashyap financial assistance and told him to finalize the script, which he did when he flew to the US. After directing Omkara (2006), Vishal Bhardwaj approached Kashyap when he came back to India, wanting to make a film with him. Kashyap told him about No Smoking, and Bhardwaj agreed to work with him.^[4] Reportedly, Shah Rukh Khan was also in talks to star.^[12]

For the dual role of Anjali and Annie, "one a self-respecting woman, another opposite", Kashyap went to actresses he thought could do the role, but they refused as the role was not substantial enough.^[1][10] Ultimately, Ayesha Takia was cast. She was not comfortable with the lovemaking scenes and the outfits of her character Annie, though Kashyap refused to make any changes. Despite this, he maintained that she was an "actress" and a "face" too.^[10]

Originally, Rajkumar Santoshi was to play the doctor, and Abbas Tyrewala was to play Abbas, that is why Kashyap named the character after him. However, Tyrewala later opted out and the role was given to Ranvir Shorey instead.^[13] Furthermore, erroneous reports surfaced that Saif Ali Khan would appear in a cameo, on the request of co-producer Kumar Mangat Pathak, who worked with him in Omkara.^[9] It was also reported that Bipasha Basu would appear in an item number.^[14] When asked what made Kashyap appear in the film, he replied, "only vanity."^[1]

Kashyap cast well-known actors in the hope of having the film released; he thought that casting "unknown but brilliant" actors had made his prior films unreleased.^[1] Abhishek Pathak, Kumar Mangat Pathak's son, served as the first assistant director of the film.^[15]

Principal photography took place in Dharavi, Mumbai, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia.^[16][17] During the shooting in Uzbekistan, a Russian actor dressed as a soldier had to chase Abraham. After running 200 meters (660 ft), the man collapsed from oxygen depletion and had to be rushed to a hospital, as the shooting was on a high altitude.^[18] There was a rumor of Abraham appearing in a nude scene, but Kashyap clarified that he had not decided how to shoot it.^[19]

The official soundtrack was composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, who also co-produced the film, while the lyrics were written by Gulzar.^[19]

Finding the soundtrack to be "unconventional, and exciting in a couple of places," Bollywood Hungama's Joginder Tuteja praised the renditions of Sami and Rekha Bhardwaj, but argued that "Kash Laga" is "fine if one strictly keeps in mind its situational appeal."^[20]

On the significance of fingers, Anurag Kashyap said that fingers could also be used to hold a pen, which symbolises writing that is freedom of expression; and that K without his fingers represented his body without soul.^[1] Kashyap has said that chopping two fingers symbolises Paanch and Black Friday, his first two directorial efforts, that were refused release by the CBFC, India's statutory film certification body.^[12][21] FilmCompanion's Prejo interpreted the film to be the "director's depiction of this authoritarian regime where even cinema, as an artistic form of expression, is suppressed and restrained."^[21] Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter's Gautaman Bhaskaran stated, "Kashyap must have realized that open confrontation with the authorities does not quite pay, so he plays around with words and actions."^[11] The A.V. Club's Saloni Gajjar interpretated the film as a "journey through hell and back, one in which Kashyap has to fight against a system that controls his output and tries to define what the general public should and shouldn’t consume."^[12] However, film director Raja Sen doubted the claims that K stood for Kashyap, arguing instead that "K is a character with no redeeming qualities whatsoever," so that must not be the director's intention.^[22]

FilmCompanion's Zoeb Matin compared Baba Bangali's "pompously philosophic" figure to despots who use false spiritualism as means for their "nefarious end".^[16] The Guardian's Phelim O'Neill called him "Hitler-loving,"^[23] Prejo called him a friend of Hitler's,^[21] and The Times's Anil Sinanan called him "a proud Hitler fan," noting the climactic gas chamber sequence.^[24] The Guardian's Philip French pointed out that his means of coercion include constant surveillance and loss of privacy.^[25] Bhaskaran noted further that, "in using politico-religious methods, including curbing the freedom of his female employees by making them wear veils, the character reflects the state of autocracy and fanaticism, driven by money, politics and religion, which prevails in Indian society," and how the film is ultimately about manipulating the human being as K loathes the idea of giving up his right.^[11] Prejo posited that the film metaphorically depicts an authoritarian regime where the privilege of "free will and freedom of expression" may be granted only to "further the regime's cause."^[21]

Prejo interpreted the film as a "journey through the complicated mind and psychology of a smoking addict who intends to kick the habit, a depiction of the travails of a chain smoker who finds it difficult to quit and the mental toll this process has on him."^[21] Gajjar wrote that "K represents people afflicted with serious addictions who struggle to escape their patterns." And when K does seek a change, "he descends into a hell of sorts where he was emotionally, mentally, and physically manipulated into giving up smoking, at the cost of his sanity."^[12]

Prejo pointed out "infinitely large repository of VHS tapes, which had recorded each and every incident and happenings in the lives of the patients of Prayogshala."^[21] Interpreting the film as a critique of surveillance state, Gajjar noted how, "Baba Bengali constantly has eyes on K, no matter how many flights he takes or remote places he goes to, even in the privacy of his own home," and that "viewed in the present day, there’s a degree of relatability to being observed at all times, and to being addicted to the very tools and services observing you."^[12]

Prejo noted the uncertainties of the events, whether they were real or in K's "convoluted psyche," pointing out K's repeated emergings from a bathtub, which could be his returning "to the real world" or "into his own mind."^[21] Gajjar interpreted K waking up in the solitary cabin as showing imprisonment of "K, or rather, his soul," and that his predicament "highlights his distorted state of mind after being psychologically tortured for so long."^[12]

Kashyap has stated that No Smoking is the story of "arrogance versus super arrogance, freedom to choose versus censorship; and that in the end freedom loses."^[1] Time Out Mumbai's Girish Shahane compared the film favorably to Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange and argued that both films show that "the cure is worse than the disease if it robs you of your soul."^[16]

Matin pointed out how K's journey takes him from his "plush South Bombay apartment overlooking the magnificent vista of Brabourne Stadium," into the "almost claustrophobic bustle of Dharavi's slums," and then further into a "subterranean purgatory in the hot bowels of the city where, as in a dream, time and place coalesce in a mist of sunlight and dirt."^[16]

No Smoking was invited to be screened at the 2nd Rome Film Festival, where the film had its premiere on 24 October 2007, where it was well-received,^[26] before its general release on 26 October.^[17][27]

Prithviraj Hegde noted that No Smoking could be cheered at film festivals, but that "it sure won't either at a suburban multiplex nor a tent cinema in Tamil Nadu or Bihar."^[30] Gautaman Bhaskaran also found it "unlikely to get into the commercial circuit."^[11] It ultimately bombed at the box-office,^[31][32] grossing ₹3.49 crore (equivalent to ₹11 crore or US$1.2 million in 2023) against a budget of ₹7.50 crore (equivalent to ₹23 crore or US$2.7 million in 2023).^[a]

No Smoking received negative reviews from critics,^[b] though international reviews were considerably positive.^[21] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.8/10.^[35]

The film was criticised for its cryptic storytelling and ambition.^[12][26] IBN Live's Rajeev Masand criticised its "intentionally incohesive screenplay and bizarre dialogue."^[36] The Guardian's Phelim O'Neill and Times of India found it illogical.^[23][37] DNA India's Indu Mirani said that "understanding its plot's many forward and backward movements would be out of the scope of the layman."^[29] Hindustan Times' Khalid Mohamed and Bollywood Hungama's Taran Adarsh failed to grasp what was going on in the film.^[38][39] Rediff.com's Prithviraj Hegde called it "a bad dream, peopled with strange characters and situations" which "spins into a downward spiral that's unreal, incomprehensible and leaves you dazed."^[30] BBC Films' Tajpal Rathore found its "shoddy screenplay stale, and its situations laughable."^[7] Variety's Jay Weissberg and BBC's Manish Gajjar called it confusing.^[6][40]

Abraham's performance, praised by Adarsh,^[39] Bhaskaran,^[11] Mirani,^[29] Saloni Gajjar,^[12] and Manish Gajjar,^[40] was criticised by Sinanan^[24] and Mohamed, who quipped that he "still has to learn the A B C of acting."^[38] Takia's performance was criticised by Mohamed.^[38] She "runs through her role mechanically," according to Adarsh,^[39] and according to Mirani, she "sleepwalks through her part."^[29] In contrast, she impressed Manish Gajjar.^[40] Rawal's performance was praised,^[29][39] describing him as "typically brilliant,"^[40] and saying that his role was "essayed with verve."^[11] Shorey's performance was criticised as boring^[39] and disappointing.^[29]

Cinematography was complimented by many critics such as Masand,^[36] O'Neill,^[23] Saloni Gajjar^[12] and Manish Gajjar,^[40] with Adarsh going so far as to suggest that cinematography was the film's "only aspect that stood out."^[39] The score was praised by Manish Gajjar.^[40] Adarsh conceded that "Jab Bhi" dance sequence was "imaginatively filmed."^[39] Weissberg found the visuals "self-indulgent."^[6] Bhaskaran and Adarsh criticised the film's lack of entertainment value.^[11][39] The flashback scene of K and Abbas smoking in the toilet was described as entertaining and hilarious,^[36] and "genuinely clever."^[22] Weissberg considered Hitler's gas chamber references as "plain offensive."^[6]

Reviewers noted the film to be influenced by the works of Franz Kafka (particularly The Trial), David Lynch,^[22][28] Lars Von Trier, Neil Gaiman, and graphic novels in general,^[29] as well as The Game (1997), Seconds (1966),^[25] Schindler's List (1993) and Being John Malkovich (1999).^[24] Comparisons were made to Mulholland Drive (2001),^[12] Saw (2004–present),^[7] Naach (2004), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), Lost (2004–present) and music videos.^[22] Critics variously identified it as a black comedy,^[25][36] a neo-noir, a surreal film^[12] or a thriller film.^[36][40] The film paid homage to Bob Fosse, a "chain-smoking director-choreographer who went to an early grave."^[25][38]

Commenting on the unfavourable reception, Kashyap stated that people would understand the film "after they get over the shock."^[1] The film was honoured at the 2011 Indian Film Festival.^[41] It has since gained a cult following.^[c]

Abraham first expressed his interest in a sequel in 2013.^[32] After Abraham reiterated his interest again in 2025, Kashyap said that he needs a thrilling, appropriate and unique subject matter to move forward with it.^[31]

• Julie Ganapathi (2003), the first Indian Stephen King film adaptation
• Woh, 1998 television series, the first Hindi-language Stephen King adaptation
• List of cult films
• List of Hindi films of 2007
• List of box-office bombs
• List of films featuring surveillance
• List of films released by Eros International
• 53rd Filmfare Awards

• No Smoking at IMDb
• No Smoking at British Board of Film Classification