No Smoking (2007)

December 13, 2022 12:11 PM

A heavily addicted smoker (John Abraham) is unprepared for the true price he must pay when he asks a guru's help to kick the habit. A Hindi language adaptation of "Quitters, Inc." a short story by Stephen King.

Also starring Ayesha Takia, Paresh Rawal, Ranvir Shorey, Jesse Randhawa, Bipasha Basu, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiku Sharda.

Directed by Anurag Kashyap. Screenplay by Anurag Kashyap. Screen story by Anurag Kashyap, Raj Singh Chaudhary. Adapted from the short story "Quitters, Inc." by Stephen King.

The story was previously adapted as part of the screen anthology Cat's Eye, with James Woods in the role of the smoker.

Rated 46% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes but with a far better 3.7 of 5 on Letterboxd.

Currently streaming in the US on Eros Now. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

I just found out this existed and it rocketed up my to-watch list. I still have to get Eros Now first though.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:11 PM on December 13, 2022

I haven't watched this yet, but I recently made folder of EVERY King adaption (even the illegitimate ones and unaffiliated sequels) for my Plex server and, like you, was surprised to find out about this.

There's also a Hindi version of It (wiki link) that you can find on YouTube, if you tell your VPN client you're in India. No subtitles and it's VERY rough and cheaply made. It seems to take a LOT of liberties with the story.

And a Tamil Misery adaptation (wiki link), which I haven't watched yet, because I also don't have English subtitles for it.
posted by mrphancy at 12:43 PM on December 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

An interesting thing about the reviews (which, as noted, are split) is that even the negative ones tend to call it stylish and energetic.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:48 PM on December 13, 2022