Smoke (I) (2018–2019) User Reviews

Toooo slowww.... Watch it when you are stoned :P

[tanujpoddar · 6/10 · 25 November 2018]

Smoke is a series about the drug mafia in Goa. While clear in it's intent and approach, it's stretches a tad too long and fails to leave a strong impression.

The show starts with a good pace, introducing various characters and setting the context. The business of supplying drugs is expanded and the challenges the drug lords are facing is exposed. ACP R.I. Pereira is brought in to clean up the trade. Though after that the focus shifts from the business to the characters. Lots of logical loop holes as the series heads towards the conclusion. The characters are not laid out in a relatable manner and thus it is difficult to be engaged to the narrative.

There are some unnecessary twists and turn to keep the interest of the audience, but the script does a really bad job of keeping the plot moving. Gulshan does a good job in his portrayal as a bihari con, imported into the murky world of drugs trade in Goa. Prakash Belawade as bhau leaves an impression. Neil Bhoopalam does the best that he could in the given scenario. Tom Alter doesn't quite look convincing as the drug lord Moshe. Kalki and Mandira are just wasted with wasteful characters. Jim Sarbh and Neil do a good job in taking the series to a logical but predictable closure. The only character that is consistent and reasonable through out the series is that of the CM of Goa who is shown to have a serious and clear intent of making Goa drug free.

Conventional plot, interesting characters, stretched but well-enacted!

[xpics · 6/10 · 5 December 2019]

Amidst much-hyped Indian web-series like 'Sacred Games' and 'Mirzapur', the less-known and lesser-promoted 'Smoke' somewhere got overlooked (the common thread between them being underworld, crime, drugs). Not that it's a path-breaking product but it certainly isn't bad either and watchable to an extent.

Smoke is an Indian version of 'Narcos' though the idea here is to only give a reference and not compare it with the popular show. The basic setup is gang-war on the backdrop of drug trafficking in Goa. It offers nothing that we haven't seen before (but so did 'Sacred Games' and 'Mirzapur'). It's victory however lies in the fact that it doesn't bore you and keeps you engrossed if you start watching it.

Despite its various trappings, one of the major highlights of the writing is it creates interesting characters and the fascinating part is that, at some point in the show, you root for almost every one of them for the fact that they seem so human and vulnerable and not mere glorified underworld dons. This also is a challenge for the viewer because they do not know who they are rooting for as the central protagonist throughout the show. And Smoke manages to sail through despite the lack of one central protagonist.

Even Jim Sarbh, who seems to be the protagonist (at least from the poster and trailer), keeps a low profile for a major part of the show and his character gains prominence only towards the end. In trying to keep the suspense for the later episodes (particularly the grand finale), the audience is often unaware of several character's main motive till the finale.

The finale of the show however is more gratifying than its likes for it gives at least some sense of closure and doesn't keep things hanging with uncertainty like 'Mirzapur' and 'Sacred Games'. However at 11 episodes with a 90 minute finale, the series is certainly long-drawn and could have easily been cut short by a couple of episodes. Some subplots like Gulshan Devaiah's fluctuating loyalty gets repetitive and monotonous after a while. Also, at several instances, characters keep stepping out of cars, walking in corridors, driving on road, etc endlessly and you wonder if the director (and also editor) forgot to say 'cut'. Such scenes only seem stretched and do not add dramatic value. You thank the 10-second jump button on digital platforms at such instances! All episodes do not essentially culminate on a definite hook point.

'Smoke' has an interesting cast who promise decent performances. Tom Alter has good screen presence though he often hams in Russian accent. Gulshan Devaiah and Amit Sial go theatrical, as their characters demand, but are still captivating. Jim Sarbh keeps low profile as the villain's sidekick yet never loses charm. Girish Kulkarni seems typecast. Satyadeep Mishra is earnest. Prakash Belawadi looks rehearsed because of his accent but this is his best work in Hindi so far. Kalki Koechlin and Mandira Bedi are good in their respective parts.

Smoke

[Boney988 · 8/10 · 15 November 2018]

Did I mention it also has a killer soundtrack? You're right, I did.

A Quality creation for having thrilled or addicted

[ankurpl-46461 · 10/10 · 26 March 2019]

The series is very well crafted and well lined. An watcher just can not guess what is going to be in the end. The story is ended at a situation that anyone want to get more. It is always awaiting for the next that what will happen!! Very good web series. Waiting for season 2.

Smoke

[DilpreetKang851 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

One of the best scores and soundtracks in drama television in last couple of years in my opinion, that really generates the perfect atmosphere and fits the emotional scenes perfectly

Smoke

[AdnanSheikh67 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

Even in rewatches, knowing what was to come, I was still completely invested in the show. Highly recommend.

Where is next season??

[hverma26 · 7/10 · 25 May 2020]

Season 1 of Smoke was alright. Nothing great but it was watchable.

Smoke

[Ratanjeet76 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

You'll become addicted to this straight away. Smoke has a good story line to it and there is always something happening.

It's Smokin'

[balotellifrank · 7/10 · 21 November 2018]

Like the name it self. Smoke series by Eros Now is a beautiful and amazing series written and portrayed by the best actors from Tom Alter to Amit Sial, Gulshan Kalki Jim and the rest! Not to forget bhau(prakash belawadi)

Production crew ratings

[dhillon-664-55851 · 1/10 · 13 May 2021]

The 10/10 ratings from the production team and Eros now team looks like, at least be sensible when bombarding ratings there aren't many shows that are 10/10 with the same headline, get a grip.

Smoke

[MandeepMannu7 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

The best thing about the writing is how it makes you care for most of the characters good or bad and when they are doing bad things you want them to get away.

Its a formula of how to make a Worst series ever!!!

[zeeshanchappalwala-50728 · 1/10 · 3 November 2018]

Very poor editing & execution.. A potential story died becoz of poor screenplay. The production team seams to be in some hurry to release the series without final cuts & proper editing.

Very Thrilling Show. A must watch

[bhaskarjyoti-dutta · 9/10 · 9 November 2018]

Very Thrilling Show. A must watch. Nice story. Hope Smoke season 2 will come up soon.

Smoke

[AmitDadhwal521 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

Smoke makes you feel like you're actually living it. Not just watching it.

smoke

[HARRYKUMAR74 · 10/10 · 12 November 2018]

No wonder Smoke is gripping, gritty, entertaining and intriguing.

Smoke

[TanyaJain11 · 8/10 · 15 November 2018]

The characters are alike in many ways, but also very unique. You get to see the relationships

Couldn't have been worse

[prasannjeetsingh · 2/10 · 9 November 2018]

I am absolutely surprised by the amount of positive reviews this title has got. Most of them sound fake because of the template and absolutely unrelated reviews written.

Nevertheless, the series has a story-line so flat, I'd like to buy the brand of hammer that was used against it. First few episodes are so confusing, you wouldn't really understand which drug mafia is against whom. Some characters suddenly disappear from the series and no one bats an eye. Police and the CM abruptly start taking weird decision, so much so that audience might feel there might be some huge revelation at the end, but unfortunately, there isn't. Character's take time to build up, and when you might feel like rooting for them, they are killed off, and you feel confused and betrayed. Unrelated characters suddenly become significant in the final episodes, which makes absolutely no sense.

Editing was also not up to the mark.

All in all, it seemed like because the director knew the story-line, they felt that the audience would too, without taking the effort to explain them. Unfortunately, the characters fail to make an impact till the end.

A forgettable TV Serial which is best to be avoided, despite the spectacular work done by Tom Alter and all the other major star-cast.

Smoke

[NiteshMeena574 · 10/10 · 12 November 2018]

ErosNow has just revolutionized the web drama series with smoke

...

[shivakumar-30393 · 3/10 · 1 November 2018]

Format is copied from most of the Hollywood web series. Only time I liked watching is when we have Kalki or Gulshan on screen. Dialogues are pathetic, especially by other than those mentioned above.

??????

[adnansiddiqui-68647 · 8/10 · 16 October 2020]

Where can i download this series is this series dissappeard or what?

smoke

[Naman6985 · 8/10 · 15 November 2018]

What started out as a decent prospect then worked its way up through the ranks to become TV show champion of the world

smoke

[SudhirSangwan53 · 10/10 · 12 November 2018]

The series is directed by Neel Guha, who has assisted Anurag Kashyap on "Gulaal," "Black Friday" and "That Girl In Yellow Boots."

Smoke

[Vijay14 · 9/10 · 31 October 2018]

The creator, writers, directors and actors have paid attention to every single detail, putting thought into every nuance in every character in every scene.

Not sure why it is 8+

[rohinparashar · 5/10 · 3 October 2020]

It is slow, many a times actions taken do not make sense nor are they explained in the end. Characters contradict themselves every other episode. It appears broken rather than carrying any suspense.

Smoke

[manish96 · 9/10 · 31 October 2018]

I eagerly look forward to more of this ambitious, entertaining series.