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E.C.G. AFTER NO SMOKING
Standing in the queue at the ticket counter, I saw some people coming out of the earlier show. I kept staring at some of them, trying to figure out their reactions about the film (obviously having heard so-much and so less about the film and its maker). I saw these two peculiar gentlemen from Bihar mumbling about No Smoking – “Arre yeh film bahut aage ki soch ke saath banaya hai saala” (In their typical accent). I smiled and wondered if the film would work for me.
Yes. It did work.
I saw the late night show of Anurag Kashyap’s “No Smoking” in the theatre near my house. There were some cigarettes in my pocket, and I just wanted to smoke and enjoy it with the hangover of the film. But somehow I couldn’t light the cigarette. I didn’t even dare to. It was just a frightening thought and a cold chill went down my spine as I looked at the cigarette in my fingers.
No matter what people think, I liked the film. I truly liked it. But then I ask myself – Is it because I know the ‘Revolutionary’ Anurag Kashyap personally? Or do I adore him as person? Or as a director? Or as a brilliant actor? Or is it just for the plain old selfish reason of writing good about him and getting a chance to work in his next film as an actor? The answer to all the questions going on in my head is a big and firm NO.
I simply went to see the film as a normal film-goer; as a passionate film buff and I enjoyed the movie till end. It was a totally different cinematic experience. The way the story was told and executed was really different and it challenged my as an audience. I thank Anurag and the people who supported him in making this film. It has given me a reason to ponder, introspect and think, after watching a film, in really long.
I personally feel that smokers (who want to quit or on the verge of quitting) need to be asked whether they liked the film or not. I am sure most of them will say “YES” because its an uphill task in convincing your mind to NOT smoke a cigarette and at the same WANT to smoke one. The catch 22 situation, the desperation, the ordeal that they undergo, is very well shown in the film.
I am not here to do any postmortem on how the film should have been edited, what the director should have spoken, who should be wearing what etc. I am just an actor and currently a fan of the FILM and its maker. I leave that to my highly educated, intellectual, techinally sound etc. critics over here. In totality it was intriguing and it forces your mind to break the boundaries of imagination with every scene. Even if I get to see the film again, I am sure it will make me think again and that I’ll definitely get some more interesting, different meaning & a ‘high’, each time. All characters of the movie having twin personality which rarely seen in movies. I just love the way he use gas chamber concept in positive way. Way how one thing start n end on same point…circle of life…… like that too
Many a times in your normal day to day mechanical life, we come across a lot of stuff that are unusual absurd, whacked and twisted that we never expect. Each time we express ourselves differently when put in such situations. This film highlighted some of those situations, which normally are not seen in the ‘candy floss-commercial’ sector. Anurag creates the inner chaos or insecurity of the mind, the disturbed and uncontrolled ego, the arrogance and bizarreness of the subconscious mind very well. You can see this in the film most of the times. Every time we are fighting with our inner self like a madman. In this film I felt for the emotions that K displays and found it to be very similar to the one that’s inside me.
It’s not “smoking” only, which kills you, but your negativity, your ego, your self-respect, your arrogance and all your other habits’ which you want to remove or want to quit. You are left with no other option but to fight it out. One by one. Your negativity will kill you more dangerously than anything else. I don’t think there’s any medication or any treatment or any suggestions to cure them. The only solution is you and the way you deal with it. You are the only solution to your questions.
Personally, Anurag has told this story in a very simple manner, which might have a simple yet complex meaning and different expressions and thoughts. Someone mentioned that its not for the “Aam Janta” (the common man). But the ‘common’ problem is that the bloody “aam janta” don’t want to burn their self-ego or self weakness, but want to see something which pampers their ego and emotions. It’s like a sick person who doesn’t want to go to the Doctor because he knows the doctor will tell him the truth about his health and he is scared to hear it. Our dear “Aam Janata” is like the sick patient. Just wants to find excuse.
When you say that “Hardly 25 people were watching the film and stayed till the end”, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to us - at least they are the evolving generation Indian film audience. They might want to see more of these kinds of films. If someone says this film is for international audience only, it’s absolutely ridiculous! Yes it might appeal to them and some might even understand it, but don’t think less of us, the Indian audience. I think it’s high time that the ‘international audience’ take notice of Indian films and its makers and start getting insecure about films that don’t only deal with Indian culture, poverty and elephants. Anurag Kashyap has already ignited the flames of revolution and “No Smoking” is a fine example of the freedom of expression and experiment.
Anurag gave his solution of his own questions …in his own way of expression.
Thanks to Anurag Kashap for giving ur extraordinary work which makes think beyond the wall
Thanks for breaking the wall
“Long live Anurag Kashyap”.
A thousands stars for NO SMOKING!
22 Responses to “E.C.G. AFTER NO SMOKING”
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Welcome back Santosh….long time….
I was reading this book the other day, it had a very interesting line…
” Life is 5% of shit that it throws at you and 95% how you react to it”
Your article sums that up.
Hey Santosh!!,
Had the same feeling…., thoroughly enjoyed the film…. interesting thing about this film is that, many said that its one of the best film they’ve ever seen and equal number of people also said that its the worst film they’ve ever seen!!
really don’t understand… i went with no expectation and enjoyed… encourage people to see the film… this kind of films should be made!!! i wish the producer of the film recovers the money!!!!, after all it requires a big heart to invest in others’s dream!!! :)
wow… Santosh back with a bang. Awesome :d
When international directors make an out-of-the-box film, they are praised for their creative thinking. When one of our own exhibits his creativity in one of the finest manners, he is narcisstic, self-indulgent, etc. So be it. Hopefully, No Smoking is the start of a new era.
As Bhavesh has mentioned, I also wish the producers make their money. I have already seen the movie twice (partly to help me understand and to show it off to my non-desi friends)and I have cajoled almost everyone I know who has an interest in such movies to go for it. Furthermore, I would definitely be getting the DVD as soon as that releases.
This is brilliant film-making and it has to be encouraged. It is upto the minority who appreciated this movie to spread the word. To convince others to see what you saw. A good way would be to explain to some people the story before they go in… that way they wouldn’t come out shouting ‘Kuch samajh nahi aaya’. Not everyone will be pleasantly surprised at the movie when they see it. Some could be surprised IF they already know the story and just go to watch the treatment BCOS you explained it to them already. I discussed the story with numerous friends and colleagues and already explained my theory to them. That way when they did see it, they came out appreciating the direction, sets, production values, acting, etc. Not a single one was jilted, noone rubbished the story :)
Do the above and encourage the Producers, AK and other brilliant film-makers to dish out more films like No Smoking.
Bravo AK, Vishal Bhardwaj and Kumar Mangat.
im totally aggre with you Anand, om & bhaves
thanks for that..just gave ur energy to wildfire & speard it up…burn that so called SENIOR CITIZEN
HALLA BOL!
Cineraj mein dekhi kya movie, Santosh?
I found ur Views very Silly .. Just like Anurag said .. One Reviewr (Read Khalid Mohammed ) reviewed More anurag than film .. i also thought that you also did the the same way .. This is Bloody Nonsense Idea that as i know Anurag Personally ..
wat a Bullshit .. dnt even wanna know If u know him or not .. just Review the movie…
Also u said that only 5 % left who are watching the No somking are so called radical indians….. I am puking at this juvenile thought of urs …
Watching a film say like “Jaal the trap ” or more approriately film like “Paap ko jala kar raakh kar dunga ” and sitting thru the ordeal wen others are leaving the Moviehall does not categorize me as Radical / REVOLOUTIONARY Indian ….
Well its a Okie movie . .. new concept .. but then he is not the only one trying to give bollywood the new enlightment levels ( Rite Mr anurag ) .. ther are films coming like Johhny Gaddar which are also intelligently made …
Ha haa . and wth ur last 4 lines it seems ur paid too much for writing this review..
1000 stars …? who are u kidding boy ..n well that Bihari thing — it seems like wen eva ppl had to show downclasss n Nonstylish Rural ppl they use this term…Mebbe jst the Burn u myt had faced while taking the IAS xam n ofcourre not getting selected ….
PS : I m not Bihari Either and neither I hated the movie … More so forgive me for my Spellings .. I am typing way to fast
the K of no smoking is not kafka…its kashyap,anurag kashyap.read more…
http://chavannichap.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_30.html
Admin. note : Joe tmp , please dont post same comment again and again on different posts. Once is sufficient.
Thanks
So you want to devide and make all you bloggers and people commenting favourble about NS “People with brain” and rest all are biharis. I do not know who Khalid is nor justify his review, but dont make this platform to bring out your bhadaas on him and make rest masses who do not understand this “Masterpiece”, brainless people.
Rubbish.
Adi
well i saw this late night movie in between munching my dinner ..i should say this movie is a good attempt towards a good insightful cinema which obviously few people will endorse partly to the fact that they in some way find the indian filmmaker trying ‘different cinema’ and partly due to the fact that it comes to close to vicious circle shown in hollywood movies like pulp fiction and matrix series. but is it the only reason i should endorse this movie…
well no …
but this movie keeps you thinking about the unobvious of the obvious facts which we have taken in the movie as it goes also trying to correlate it together…
kudos to Anurag for making a good attempt to this specific genre of cinema and i think we should take a leaf out of the cinema and think how film can be scripted in a more gelled fashion..
i think this movie will mark the beginning of this class in hindi cinema and who knows 20 years down the line we regard this film which brought the eclectic effect which at once films like kagaz ke phool or for that matter mera naam jokar brought out … the after effects of this film will be shown in times to come …
good attempt Anurag …
Good article, Santosh!
” am not here to do any postmortem on how the film should have been edited, what the director should have spoken, who should be wearing what etc. I am just an actor and currently a fan of the FILM and its maker. I leave that to my highly educated, intellectual, techinally sound etc. critics over here.”
=))
I never thought about every character having twin sides, and the gas chamber being used in a positive way. But will try and decipher it when I see it again tomorrow.
i agree…the film was truly good….though,it’s a difficult sort of a film,but in every scene it had somethin to tell….there are lot of parts in the film tht are considered to be abstract form of one-self in the real life….this is what i have understood from the film,besides the social message and the reprucussion of personal negativity…..
i’m a student of philosophy…n u won’t believe this…i’m actually picking a brief story line of this film for my philosophy assignment and the topic goes “Kant, Mill and us”
Saw “No Smoking” last night. Reminded me of my experience watching Fellini’s “8 1/2″. I was expecting a masterpiece but came out feeling I wasted my time in trying to appreciate an obvious exercise in self-indulgence!
But Anurag is no Fellini, if anything he is more in touch with the audience’s pulse so to me that would make him a better and more accessible director. In that regard No Smoking is not something I can appreciate. I defended the film to all and sundry but then watched it later and hated it…. Surprisingly my wife loved it, I guess she is more tolerant to the whims and fancy of an artist.
Either way, I am waiting for “Gulaal” and anything else Anurag puts out there… unless it’s another NS!
I’m gonna sound like a stuck record now, but i’m still loving it!!
The more I think of it, the more I love it!!
Just today I met an elderly Punjabi ‘Uncle’ who had just seen the film and was totaly baffled!
I explained in my crappy punjabi, that its a film which needs to be viewed atleast twice to get a desired impact.
After alot of ‘I dont have time’ and ‘why did they cut his fingers off’ kinda chat, he agreed to see it again!!
I felt so proud of myself, LOL!!!!
But yes, i had better calm down a bit now I guess!!!
Otherwise to chill, i’ll have to start smoking!!
I am an Anurag KAshyap fan for more dan one reason….. 1stly for the movies he has given us as a writer[satya, kaun etc] and as a director[black friday]. And yes i agree that no smoking is a very different film and its one of the 1st of its kind in the history of Indian Cinema… But being different dsnt make it a very good piece of cinema….
Whats a cinema if it can not interact with the audience. On thiswebsite I see Anurag Kashyap and this film compared to some of the best film makers and their best of works. He is compared to Martin Scorcese and many other big names but i dnt think any of there masterpieces were so over the head and hardly understandable. I also understand that he used this film as an artistic approach to reflect his sensibilities but did the movie really reflect that. I read Anurag writing somewhere that through K he tried to show his ordeal in the film industry and how he is always forced into quitting his soul to survive in this industry. Even if he tried to do so with a heavy heart i must say that he failed to communicate. I dnt say the subject or the idea was bad but it was bad execution or maybe too good and abstract an execution for anyone to understand….. Until i read Anurag’s blog about what he was tryin 2 communicate through this movie i didnt understand much. I also see that everyone who blogs on PFC likes that movie. I dnt say they are lying but they only like the movie becoz they know what anurag kashyap wanted 2 say and they only know this through anurag himself and not through the movie. If anurag kashyap is having to resort to tell people about what that movie is then i am sorry he has failed as a storyteller. His movie should have communicated for himself and not him through his blogs.
I also would clear that i have no doubts that i know far less about cinema than anurag kashyap does and even after this movie my favourite director remains anurag kashyap himself but i hate to see people being rudely bashed at when they try 2 criticise this movie… Let the people have the right to criticise and respond to it in a positive manner rather than everbody jumping one one poor soul like a mob…If people can criticise karan johar and YRF then why not anurag kashyap….He is a great storyteller but that doesnt mean he cannot make mistakes…Plus No Smoking kind of cinema is completely relatice so there are bound to be different viewpoints. Why is there the need to look down at everybody who doesnt like it…
Having said all this, I would like Anurag to know that i am a Scindian[anurag knows what this means] and me along with every other Scindian is proud of him and his works… And yes i also believe that Anurag Kashyap is perhaps one of the best filmmakers this country has ever seen…
:):)>-
Hi,
Passing by i thought of writing something for Anurag Kashyap “No Smoking”, infact i am longing to see the movie. Will be seeing it very soon.
I would be personally interested in seeing “Paanch”.
We all search a kinda alterego. Seeing movies like these makes you ponder more into your alter ego.
Remember the great Saying from USUAL SUSPECTS
” Who is Kaiser Zose?”
N ‘Joy’ everyone!!!
Anurag, a brilliant article (in Gujarati) on No smoking pulished in Gujarat Samachar
http://www.gujaratsamachar.com/gsa/20071104/guj/supplement/spectro.html
Friends,
Even Anurag would have forgotten about ‘NO SMOKING’ let’s talk about hanuman-2 or his next project……. Public memory is very short….. we all know that….don’t we??????.
raaj
Dear Santosh,
Greetings. I am not exactly your fan but i admire your work..I want to ask you if you intend to direct a movie in future? I have certain scripts which i feel that you would be able to do justice as a director. This is my personal opinion (Your work till date has been awesome..whether its a 5 second role in Hera Pheri or Sri Rajguru’s role in The Legend Of Bhagath Singh or your 1 minute role in Mast)
Santosh bhai,
I have seen your work and I am sad that you don’t do more films. Is it by choice, or just that the film industry is still fascinated with gora-chitta, dancing, jumping, screaming, six-pack heroes? Because from whatever I have seen, you are brilliant! Wish to see you in longer, more meaningful roles.
If you can, please let me know what movies you are working in right now….
All the very best,
Debashri