Smoke review: Like a Mahesh Bhatt thriller with an Apple-level budget and an MX Player vibe
After knocking it out of the park with the excellent prison drama Black Bird a couple of years ago, writer Dennis Lehane and star Taron Egerton have reunited on the new Apple mini-series Smoke. The nine-episode thriller follows a mismatched pair of investigators tasked with tracking down a couple of arsonists. Gudsen, the character played by Egerton, is an expert of some kind. He lives and breathes fire. His new partner Calderon, played by Jurnee Smollett, is a detective with a horrific past. In a contrived piece of writing that even Mahesh Bhatt would have drawn the line at, it is revealed that Calderon's mother tried to set their house ablaze when she was a child. It's like Dexter, with an Apple-level budget but the soul of an MX Player original.
Rohan Naahar is an assistant editor at Indian Express online. He covers pop-culture across formats and mediums. He is a 'Rotten Tomatoes-approved' critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild of India. He previously worked with the Hindustan Times, where he wrote hundreds of film and television reviews, produced videos, and interviewed the biggest names in Indian and international cinema. At the Express, he writes a column titled Post Credits Scene, and has hosted a podcast called Movie Police.
You can find him on X at @RohanNaahar, and write to him at rohan.naahar@indianexpress.com. He is also on LinkedIn and Instagram. ... Read More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Who is Shefali Jariwala's first husband? Not Parag Tyagi but THIS musician she accused of ‘domestic abuse'
Shefali Jariwala's death has left her fans, friends and family members shattered. As many continue to mourn the actor's death, her husband Parag Tyagi arrived at Mumbai's Cooper hospital where her body is kept for post-mortem. Several videos of media frenzy around Parag's public appearance have gone viral on social media. Parag and Shefali shared a close bond. In fact, it is believed that he helped her heal and give love a second chance after her troublesome first marriage. Many might not know but Shefali Jariwala's first husband was Harmeet Singh, one half of the celebrated musician duo Meet Brothers. They got married in 2004. However, their marriage was short-lived as problems began after 4-5 years, as per multiple reports. The two finally parted ways in 2009. At the time of their divorce, Shefali accused Harmeet of 'domestic abuse' as per a report of Indian Express. According to reports, Shefali Jariwala had filed an FIR against Harmeet Singh at Mumbai's Oshiwara police station, accusing him of physical and mental abuse. She also alleged that he withdrew around ₹ 12 lakh from their joint account without her permission. Talking about her messy divorce, Shefali once told Times Now, "It is very important to understand that you are not being appreciated. Not every kind of violence is physical. There is a lot of mental violence that also happens and you are very unhappy in your life. I think, one of the reasons why I could make the decision for myself, was because I was independent. I was making my own money. The biggest fear in our country is of the society. Divorce is considered to be taboo but the way I have been raised, is to not really care about society but just do what we feel is right. I could take such steps in my life and had strong support." Shefali met Harmeet after the popularity of her viral music video Kaanta Laga. She later collaborated with the Meet Brothers on music videos like Pyaar Humein Kis Mode Pe Le Aaya and more. Harmeet began his career in the industry as an actor in TV shows like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kkusum, and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. He later gained recognition in the music scene with his brother Manmeet. Meet Bros are known for several chart-topping Bollywood hits like Baby Doll from Ragini MMS 2, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from Roy, and Hangover sung by Salman Khan in Kick. They also composed High Heels (with Yo Yo Honey Singh) from Ki & Ka, and Nachan Farrate from All Is Well. They also won several awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Harmeet is currently married to Sunaina Singh. They are blessed with a son. After the divorce, Shefali Jariwala met television actor Parag Tyagi at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend. In an interview with Times Now, Shefali revealed that she was single when a meeting between the two was set up. 'We really liked each other a lot and hit it off instantly. Parag and I are very similar and different in many ways. I think we kind of balance each other out,' she said. The couple dated for a few years before Parag proposed to her on the sets of Nach Baliye in 2012. In 2014, they tied the knot. Once Shefali had expressed her desire to adopt a child with Parag. The couple had a pet dog, named Simba. Meanwhile, Shefali Jariwala, popularly known for the music video Kaanta Laga, was found unresponsive at her Mumbai house. After Parag brought her to the hospital, she was pronounced dead. The cause of her death is being probed amid reports of the actor dying due to a cardiac arrest.
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Indian Express
Smoke review: Like a Mahesh Bhatt thriller with an Apple-level budget and an MX Player vibe
After knocking it out of the park with the excellent prison drama Black Bird a couple of years ago, writer Dennis Lehane and star Taron Egerton have reunited on the new Apple mini-series Smoke. The nine-episode thriller follows a mismatched pair of investigators tasked with tracking down a couple of arsonists. Gudsen, the character played by Egerton, is an expert of some kind. He lives and breathes fire. His new partner Calderon, played by Jurnee Smollett, is a detective with a horrific past. In a contrived piece of writing that even Mahesh Bhatt would have drawn the line at, it is revealed that Calderon's mother tried to set their house ablaze when she was a child. It's like Dexter, with an Apple-level budget but the soul of an MX Player original. Rohan Naahar is an assistant editor at Indian Express online. He covers pop-culture across formats and mediums. He is a 'Rotten Tomatoes-approved' critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild of India. He previously worked with the Hindustan Times, where he wrote hundreds of film and television reviews, produced videos, and interviewed the biggest names in Indian and international cinema. At the Express, he writes a column titled Post Credits Scene, and has hosted a podcast called Movie Police. You can find him on X at @RohanNaahar, and write to him at He is also on LinkedIn and Instagram. ... Read More
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
7 Movies Based On Real-Life Billionaires
photoDetails english 2923080 If you are fascinated to know the stories behind the billionaires we know. Here's a list of 7 movies based on real life billionaires Updated:Jun 27, 2025, 02:42 PM IST 1 / 8 These are some of the best movies based on real life billionaires 7 to be more specific. Pirates Of Silicon Valley 2 / 8 This is the story of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs who they came with an idea of creating Apple and Microsoft. The Social Network 3 / 8 A student from Harvard creates a social networking site that came to be known as Facebook he was later sued by twin brothers who claimed that he stole their idea. The Wolf Of The Wall Street 4 / 8 The true story of Jordan Blefort rise from a wealthy stock broker to fall including crime, corruption and federal government etc. The Founder 5 / 8 Ray Kroc expands the business of 2 brothers fast food eatery Mcdonald's into the biggest restaurant business. Billionaire Boys Club 6 / 8 A bunch of wealthy boys start a get rich quick scam in Los Angeles during 1980s which later turns out to be deadly. Guru 7 / 8 This is the story of Dhirubai Ambani Abhishek Bachchan who plays the role of a villager Gurukant Desai he heads to Bombay in 1958 in order to become the Guru, biggest tycoon in India. The Big Bull 8 / 8 The movie follows the story of Harshad Mehta(played by Abhishek Bachchan) who gets involved in financial crimes that took place between 1990 to 2000 in the financial market.
