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1. 1 On October 26th, 2007, sat said:

   Just got back from watching the movie and googled hastily to check if I was the only one who liked it….coz my friends thought it was absurd(right, the word’s abstract)…and they couldn’t ‘understand’ it! the second half sagged a bit; to the point that i was starting to feel that it was getting to be a bad attempt until the last scene of the movie…kinda put it back on track. Yeah, couple of folks did applaud at that point in the hall…bottomline; finally, someone cracked it!

   posted on October 26th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

2. 2 On October 27th, 2007, meetu said:

   Yeah sat, unfortunately the movie is being criticized negatively by most of the viewers. I guess, it is too metaphorical for people to appreciate.

   I just hope this does not dissuade people from making more movies like these, where the audience is required to use their brains and imagination.

   posted on October 27th, 2007 at 9:46 am

3. 3 On October 27th, 2007, morph said:

   if there’s a bravery award it should go to vishal bharadwaj who decided to produce this mess of a movie and stood there while anurag kashyap so smug and overconfident of his talent ran amok with his cryptic and incomprehensible execution of this plot with utter disregard for his audience . each scene especially in the second half unfolds as if anurag was trying to show off how intelligent he is to us unintelligent life forms .

   The basic plot idea could have made a decent short film , which it did as one of the segments in Darna mana hai,but to make it in to an engaging full length feature would have been a challenge to anyone and anurag with his over-indulgence and in his goal to delivering something “different”messes it up completely.

   agreed on technical credits all top class .

   anurag needs to get a grip on himself else this talented guy will lose it like his mentor RGV.

   if this is “intelligent” cinema , god save us ! . i will prefer the average bollywood potboiler over this any day

   posted on October 27th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

4. 4 On October 28th, 2007, Arvind said:

   hi,

   i just spotted the ‘to each his own…’ section. i don’t know if you are aware of it, but the thumbs up and thumbs down ratings of movies is copyright - it is Roger Ebert’s. I am not sure if you care too much about copyright but it is generally a good practice not to use someone else’s copyright.

   regards,
   Arvind

   posted on October 28th, 2007 at 5:49 pm

5. 5 On October 29th, 2007, Anna said:

   Thank Goodness, there are at least a few people who liked this movie! I thought I was the only one who thought that the movie was interesting and made an excellent use of metaphors. Ofcourse, not everyone’s cup of tea, especially when one goes in expecting some typical bollywood masala film. Hope the scathing reviews don’t stop film makers like Kashayap from making more experimental movie like this.

   posted on October 29th, 2007 at 6:11 am

6. 6 On October 29th, 2007, Ashish K. said:

   If mass is not able to appreciate a movie it doesn’t mean that the movie was really “intelligent”.

   Watching the movie and reading AK’s interpretation of the movie - I can only conclude -> 1. He is an arrogant man. 2. He is a self proclaimed pseudo meta intellectual person and the way he is fighting …wisdom is miles apart from him

   posted on October 29th, 2007 at 7:08 am

7. 7 On October 29th, 2007, Mudit said:

   I’ve written this on PFC and I’m pasting it here again
   I think the discussion on the movie needs to begin again when we’ve all seen it the second time. This is a film which will grow on you after repeated viewing …at least in me, there’s a strong urge to watch it the second time, stronger than the one I had it to see it the first time. The entire experience was so intoxicating that I felt like being on a high after a joint or two (even when I’m a non-smoker) and thus don’t remember what happened. Yes, it actually felt like I was being intoxicated….and I’m not yet come out of the hangover. I’m definitely gonna watch it again soon…feel like I’m getting an addiction, ironically for something which says “No Smoking”.

   posted on October 29th, 2007 at 10:16 am

8. 8 On October 29th, 2007, meetu said:

   Morph, good to see you here again. So, we disagree yet again. No denying Vishal Bharadwaj a bravery award. It takes guts to do something that you are pretty sure you are going to be trashed for. In fact, they can make the trophy itself in the shape of a golden cigarette, to mark the movie that started it all…sorry, am getting carried away…

   Morph and Ashish K. - “intelligent”? Hmmm…am not sure I want to label movies like that. But, if you are talking about a movie that makes you think. This certainly did make me think.

   Ashish K. - Comments about Anurag Kashyap, don’t know him so wouldn’t know whether he is arrogant or not. I was watching the movie and not judging the personal traits of the director

   Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, guys!

   posted on October 29th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

9. 9 On October 29th, 2007, meetu said:

   Arvind, thank you so much for pointing it out. I do take copyright and trademarks very seriously. Trademark to the phrase “Two Thumbs Up” is most certainly owned by Ebert and the estate of Sieskel. This was done to avoid misrepresentation by movie-makers. However, the terms “Thumbs Up” and “Thumbs Down” are not trademarked. Reference article

   I really appreciate your concern. And good to hear from you again.

   posted on October 29th, 2007 at 2:17 pm

10. 10 On October 29th, 2007, meetu said:

    Anna, I certainly hope so too. I am as glad as you that at least some people liked the movie and are voicing their opinions.

    Mudit, I want to see it again too!! I am sure I will come out with more admiration for the movie.

    posted on October 29th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

11. 11 On October 29th, 2007, Arvind said:

    terrific. i am satisfied with the answer. thank you for clarifying.
    i’ll be back(not copyrighted by Arnold Schwarzenegger).

    posted on October 29th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

12. 12 On October 29th, 2007, Puneet said:

    Even after 27 hours I am thinking about the movie. Trying to come up with a theory which explains everything. not 100 % successful still i am enjoying it this way ( why that confusion of secretary n wife being the same person ). but still it was treat. that too in hindi.apne log bhi ye sab bana sakte hai” I dont know about others but generally while analysing something dramatic or while being in such a situation my mind works in exactly similar manner as shown by bubblegraph for john. I think that was not for humor only. Its the way some of us do think, though he ould ve done away with hindi versions.
    now coming to the reason why i liked this movie so much. i use to smoke a lot ( gives me an immense pleasure to write “use to” )but since past 12 hours i am so much shocked that i am not feeling like smoking at all. I am scared. For the first half i was empathising with the protagonist on his stand on smoking but then i started loosing him. Believe me, i have kissed my qwn fingers 10 times already in past 1 day.Scared as hell. And if one movie can so something which even my girlfriend couldn’t do. It ought to be good.
    btw ..i think music is ok but do listen the song for lyrics….toooooooo good !!
    am sure to watch it again ( for understanding 100% of it )…. but i guess it will be difficult to find a compnay

    posted on October 29th, 2007 at 5:46 pm

13. 13 On October 30th, 2007, meetu said:

    wow Puneet! I was wondering, that though the movie is not about ’smoking’ or ‘no smoking’, how smokers would react to it. Thanks for providing your take.

    Well, you should consider watching it alone, if you don’t find company.

    Thanks for sharing your reaction.

    posted on October 30th, 2007 at 4:32 am

14. 14 On October 30th, 2007, Amit Shukla said:

    “No Smoking” is stunning!!! What “K” comes to in the end - an “empty” man without a soul, perhaps more content/at peace because he has given up his individuality, his ego - is that not what we as a society have become nowadays? So insensitive to everything, so willing to accept society’s dictates, so willing to compromise on everything. Anurag Kashyap has given us a dark and sombre puzzle to ponder on. What a pity that everyone is tearing him apart for making a film they could not understand - have they ever bothered to stop and analyze what the film maker was trying to say? The last ten inutes of the film are the most haunting, tragic, and disturbing - sadly, this was the part where most people were giggling and asking what the hell was going on! John Abraham was superb in the film - so convincing, the anguish is his eyes when his “soul” is being “washed”/going up in smoke is heart-wrenching.

    posted on October 30th, 2007 at 9:39 am

15. 15 On November 5th, 2007, doc said:

    A most self indulgent film; wish I had that budget and backers, to show of the “intellectual prowess” of Mr. Kashyap. Well executed, but a story line if at all it can be called that, which could have been dealt with in 45 minutes or so.
    But then Mr. Kashyap is not interested in a linear narrative, but instead gives us a tortuous journey through the labyrinth of K’s mind as he descends into his unconscious and visits his personal hells.
    Yes, we have read Kafka too, so the feeling of having lost it all and complete bewilderment as things happen to K, who is in that sense not an individual but a cipher who is shunted from room to room without any comprehension. But how does the bureaucratic control metaphor of Kafka tie in with the film at large?
    No ideas yet.
    So we have the all seeing Eye, the Gaze, we have the complete disconnect of K from all human emotions barring that of arrogance and having his own way, and we have loops of his worst fears playing out along the way, as he strives to connect.
    Any interpretation is possible, as Mr. Kashyap gives us images and not really a story. But the quality of images is fair but sometimes looks very put on as in that Siberia sequence and then we have all the in jokes about Castro, Cigars, Beedis, and Bob Fosse et al.
    Is he paying tribute to them or spoofing others as in the bathroom smoking sequence?
    The images are nowhere near that of The Mirror or The Stalker which both talk of metaphorical journeys which make one meditate and contemplate on the fragmented nature of existence and the larger questions that always remain unanswered.
    The film is eminently watchable thanks to the camerawork and the background score , but fails to connect to the audience in terms of addressing existential themes which would reasonate.
    Yeah, so K struggles, so what? What of us?

    posted on November 5th, 2007 at 4:43 am

16. 16 On November 5th, 2007, sudesh said:

    No Smoking is different, only it’s too different. An obvious “inspiration” from a very good Stephen King short story(I am forgetting the name but read it some 8 years ago), the movie seems to have lost its way. The result is pure confusion. A good try but we expect better from Anurag. at least he should acknowledge the source of the story line (Stephen King).

    posted on November 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pm

17. 17 On November 13th, 2007, Sachin Goel said:

    Movie’s reviews are tangled between critics and compliments…..I guess movie must be logical if watched with full attention.

    posted on November 13th, 2007 at 6:28 am

18. 18 On December 2nd, 2007, TinuAnand said:

    This review of yours disappoints me. My feeling is that you were much better reviewer before you did that film appreciation course because then you would have just trashed this movie. I read your reviews because you analyze movies based on entertainment to mass audience. Now you are reviewing more like what other reviewers do. Ironically thats what this film all about!
    I do respect your view that it was metamorphical but it was certainly not entertaining. There should be different rating scale for this kind of movies…

    posted on December 2nd, 2007 at 2:14 am

19. 19 On December 4th, 2007, meetu said:

    Hi TinuAnand, sorry to disappoint you. I might consider having a qualification for the rating. The issue is, that I am not a big fan of conditional opinion. I think an opinion is an opinion. I feel, saying something like - Must watch “if” you have a taste for artistic movies - copping out or cheating your readers.

    Nevertheless, you might soon see a qualifier along with the rating, when required.

    posted on December 4th, 2007 at 10:27 am

20. 20 On December 5th, 2007, TinuAnand said:

    Thanks Meetu,
    No doubt you are one of the most unbiased reviewer I have seen. Just that I dont agree with you all the times… As you said “opinion is an opinion”

    posted on December 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm

21. 21 On December 5th, 2007, Apoorv Khatreja said:

    Here is my own interpretation of the movie, and some common things which people couldn’t get, cleared up.

    http://apoorvkhatreja.blogspot.com/2007/12/no-smoking-uncovered.html

    posted on December 5th, 2007 at 7:56 pm

22. 22 On December 6th, 2007, meetu said:

    Interesting take Apoorv, and interesting blog too. Read a couple posts. Keep visiting!

    posted on December 6th, 2007 at 7:46 am

23. 23 On December 17th, 2007, saandip said:

    I like the Apoorv’s interpretation….that clears off the most doubts …. plz read it…u would get the feel of the movie….i…this kind of movie is an experiment of its own kind..people might see it as half cup full or half empty..diff. perspectives…it is alltogether a different paradigm movie…it could have been a bit more clearer from anurag’s presentation part ,for people to atleast get the grasp of the happenings..may be small hints…not only indian audience…this movie would be difficult to interpret even for the interntional audience… …we can tag it as a shit or a a futuristic movie making shown in present day commercial stream..whatever it is….Kudos to anurag for taking such a daring step even without caring for the reviews which he would get after the release…i know anurag would have surely known he would get these kinda reviews, and still made a movie which HE felt like making…DAREDEVIL Anurag !!!!

    posted on December 17th, 2007 at 6:26 pm

24. 24 On December 20th, 2007, surya said:

    the worst review. i am seeing the first review, which telling good about this movie.
    now, i lost faith in this site. i no more come to this site to read review.

    posted on December 20th, 2007 at 10:24 pm

25. 25 On January 5th, 2008, babu mathew said:

    anurag had picturised a marvellous story(beat hollywood!!!) with some kind of confusion which may not reach normal”masala lovers”!.But people like me,i am sure,would have definitely enjoyed it.I wont critisice it,but say frankly,that at some place in the movie,i really felt miserable.How’s the mechanical finger going in?How could paresh have the video of all the smokers?.But apart from these, i loved the screenplay,cinematography,background score and etc.Please… Anurag dont stop making films like these…people like me really need films like this kind..carry on…duniya to kehti hi rahti hai…

    posted on January 5th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

26. 26 On May 28th, 2008, mainak chattopadhay said:

    i visit to update myself. but im surprised, such a surreslist film and with out a psychoanalytic criticism. i mean a great deal of freudian theory of’ id , ego & superego ‘ is shown and no comment on it…………….

    posted on May 28th, 2008 at 8:03 am

27. 27 On May 28th, 2008, Navin said:

    @mainak, meetu is on vacation until Monday. Hopefully she will reply in a day or two after she comes back.

    posted on May 28th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

28. 28 On May 30th, 2008, Thiru said:

    Finally a brave attempt has been made,bravo Anurag
    and this is cheering time for indian cinema.A typical genre has been evoked.

    I have gone through some reviews over here.i don’t what they r saying about the movie,rather than giving their reviews they r critisising the Director.

    I wanna say big thanks to Anurag because i went through a cheerful journy of those two hours.It haunted me after came back from the theatre.

    Thanks again Anurag and we r expecting much more from u and keep in this mood to break the all commercial crap of the bollywood.

    posted on May 30th, 2008 at 4:41 am

29. 29 On June 2nd, 2008, meetu said:

    @ mainak, one has to understand and accept one’s limitations. I don’t understand the psychoanalysis parts completely and would be lost if I had to counter-argue…thus stayed silent on that aspect.

    posted on June 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 am

30. 30 On August 25th, 2008, Cheating Girlfriend said:

    She was hot but pretty stupid… I should have known better.

    posted on August 25th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

31. 31 On September 29th, 2008, mukesh said:

    movie ahead of its time — psuedo philoshophical people interpreted the directors vision with his character with heavily accented psuedo intellectual words is not even worth reading.. immature reviews from prejudiced people.. they needed attention by cribbing about a genuine , metaphorical attempt is to be applauded ,,commended..
    A GR8 MOVIE ,,

    posted on September 29th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

32. 32 On September 29th, 2008, mukesh said:

    THANKS ANURAG FOR MAKING MOVIES ..THAT MAKE PEOPLE NUMB,, SPEECHLESS,, PONDERING, WONDERED, GRATIFIED ..ENDLESS

    posted on September 29th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

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