When lyricist Prasoon Joshi replaced Pahlaj Nihalani as the head of the Central Board of Film Certification, Bollywood fans rejoiced expecting a “bolder” take on certification and censorship in the country. However, as Nihalani never tires of pointing out, maybe the decades-old rules are a bigger problem than the person heading the board. A day after reports of CBFC removing CGI-generated nudity and liquor bottles from Blade Runner 2049, rumours now claim that Saif Ali Khan-starrer Chef has been given an UA certificate because the lead is a divorcee and smokes!
A Quint report quoted a source as saying, “There was nothing in the film to justify a ‘UA’ rating rather than a ‘U’. But then the CBFC members apparently thought the hero who is divorced and who smokes, must be given a restricted viewing certification. Hence the ‘UA’.”
UA certificate for a film means kids under the age of 18 years can watch the film under parental guidance.
The film’s director Raja Krishna Menon confirmed the report and told the website, “The word ‘a**hole’ had to go. To think that would be a problem was surprising, because frankly there is no bad language in the film.Apparently you can’t have a hero separated from his wife and smoking in a ‘U’ film.”
Hindustan Times could not independently verify the report.
{{/usCountry}}Hindustan Times could not independently verify the report.
{{/usCountry}}Based on the 2014 Hollywood hit by the same name directed by Jon Favreau, Chef stars Svar Kamble, Padmapriya and Chandan Roy Sanyal, apart from Saif. The film traces the journey of Roshan Kalra (played by Saif Ali Khan) as he tries to find out his true priorities and source of happiness. It’s a story about food, love, family and togetherness as well as how a father rediscovers the bond with his son.
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