Chef Rated U/A Because Saif Ali Khan Is Divorced And Smokes, Apparently

New Delhi: Saif Ali Khan's upcoming film Chef has been cleared with one (cuss word) cut and a 'U/A' certification by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC), reports The Quint. The 'U/A' certification is reportedly because the film's protagonist (played by Saif) is divorced and he smokes in the film. "Apparently you can't have a hero separated from his wife and smoking in a 'U' film," Raja Krishna Menon told The Quint. "The word 'a**h*le' had to go. To think that would be a problem was surprising, because frankly there is no bad language in the film," he added. Chef, which releases on October 6, is the official remake of Jon Favreau's film of the same name. Jon Favreau's film received similar rating from the US censor board.

The news has not gone down well with the Internet, who thinks that "#SanskariCBFC is at it again." Former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani was criticised for similar reasons while certifying films. The CBFC is currently headed by Prasoon Joshi, who once told news agency IANS: "As far as frameworks are concerned, as an industry we operate as one and as part of the eco-system. So does the CBFC, where there are current guidelines, my attempt would be to guide and view the work holistically."

Here are a few Twitter reactions about Chef's 'U/A' Certification:
 

Supposedly #SanskariCBFC is at it again.#Chef might get an UA because SAK smokes and is a Divorcee in the film.
Mahaanta hai Bhai.

— Abhishek Parihar (@BlogDrive) October 4, 2017

 

CBFC gives #Chef UA certificate coz #SaifAliKhan plays a divorcee and a smoker in the film

— Girish Johar (@girishjohar) October 4, 2017

Chef is the story of a top chef, Roshan Kalra, who is loses everything after a fight with a prestigious food critic. In order to take a break from his hectic life, Roshan decides to visit his ex-wife and son in India. He starts a food truck with his son, which changes his life for the best.

"There was nothing in the film to justify a 'U/A' 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 'U/A'," a source told The Quint.

Chef also stars Padmapriya Janakiraman, Dhanish Karthik, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Neha Saxena. The film is produced by T-Series' Bhushan Kumar.

(With inputs from IANS)