Director: Abbas Kiarostami, Adel Yaraghi
Cast: Leila Hatami, Bahare Rahnama, Adel Yaraghi, Reza Peirovi
Ashnaiy Ba Leila is a 2015 Iranian romantic comedy directed by Adel Yaraghi, telling the story of two people whose worlds collide in an unexpected and amusing way — one ruled by cigarettes, the other by an extraordinary sense of smell. The result is a warm, light-hearted Persian rom-com with real stakes at its center.
What is Ashnaiy Ba Leila about?
Nader earns his living crafting ideas for an advertising agency, and he is convinced that his creative mind runs entirely on nicotine. Every campaign, every spark of inspiration, seems tied to a cigarette. Leila works as a sensory tester for a perfume and essential-oils company, her refined nose her most prized professional asset. When the two cross paths, a genuine attraction forms — but Leila makes her position clear from the start: any future together requires Nader to give up smoking permanently. Nader is caught between his livelihood, his creative process, and the woman he is falling for, and the choice he eventually faces is far more complicated than simply putting out a cigarette.
Cast & crew
Leila Hatami, one of Iranian cinema's most recognized faces internationally, anchors the film with her grounded and appealing performance as Leila. Bahare Rahnama brings warmth to a supporting role. Adel Yaraghi, who also co-directed alongside Abbas Kiarostami in a creative partnership, appears on screen alongside Reza Peirovi, rounding out the lead ensemble.
Context & significance
Iranian romantic comedies occupy a beloved corner of Persian-language cinema, balancing warmth and wit with the cultural textures of everyday Tehran life. Ashnaiy Ba Leila fits comfortably in that tradition — its central conflict is deceptively simple, a love story hinging on a single personal habit, yet it speaks to the compromises and negotiations that define any real relationship. For diaspora viewers who grew up with Persian romantic dramas and comedies, this film offers both the familiar cadence of the genre and a refreshingly light premise. The 88-minute runtime keeps things brisk, and the performances by a well-known cast ensure the film holds emotional credibility alongside its comic moments.
Where & how to watch
Ashnaiy Ba Leila is available to stream on K-Time with original Persian audio. Watch on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and no extra download required. Subscription plans include cancel-anytime flexibility.