PremiumNo Smoking ending explained - What is the movie really about? And does it have anything to do with smoking?
Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking is available to stream on ZEE5. The movie stars John Abraham, Ayesha Takia, and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles
No Smoking
Last Updated: 08.46 PM, May 23, 2024
Released in 2007, Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking is more than just a heart-pounding thriller. While it keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense and anxiety-filled scenes, the movie has a deeper message. The leading man is a chain smoker who is entangled in a desperate struggle. The narrative subtly touches on various social issues. Kashyap does not preach or give any easy answers, but rather uses the protagonist’s predicament to spark conversations. You can watch No Smoking now on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium.
No Smoking plot
K (John Abraham), a young man, is perpetually shrouded in cigarette smoke. He finds himself at a mysterious rehab centre, where he goes to seek help to get rid of his crippling smoking addiction. The twist is that the promise of a smoke-free life comes at a hefty price of Rs 21 lakh and a dangerous family crisis, which becomes a constant reminder of the consequences of a single puff of a cigarette. Now, the only question is: will K quit smoking permanently or will he risk everything?
What does the ending of No Smoking show?
The rehabilitation centre proves brutally effective for K. The movie gives a unique take by portraying K’s rehabilitation process at two levels: spiritual and physical. In the spiritual realm, he undergoes a cleansing process that symbolises the purification of his soul. In the physical world, his success is represented by the loss of his ability to smoke, akin to losing two of his fingers with which he used to hold a cigarette. This metaphorical pull highlights the drastic change needed to overcome the addiction.
What does the ending signify?
The ending is a bit confusing and each viewer can interpret it differently. The movie does not show the ways one can quit smoking. The story is also not about whether smoking is good or bad, having choices or not at all. K begins to get better and wakes up next to his wife, without his two fingers. He even recommends the rehabilitation centre to a friend. K tries his best to fit in with everyone else, even if it means giving up the thing he loves most. Suddenly not having the two fingers with which he held cigarettes symbolises how hard it is to break a bad habit, whether it's smoking or any other addiction.
No Smoking has a powerful message, which is shown through the topic of addiction. It doesn't preach about the merits or demerits of smoking. Instead, it sheds light on the power of individual choices. The movie emphasises that each person has the autonomy to make their own decisions.