It’s remake season: Hollywood and Bollywood are turning to tried and tested stories to guarantee commercial success. Last week it was Judwaa 2 and this week it is Chef-a rehash of Hollywood film with same name.
Saif Ali Khan teams up with director Raja Menon (Airlift) for a film that is unusual for the Indian audience.
Roshan Kalra (Saif Ali Khan) is a passionate yet stubborn chef whose career is stagnating. After an altercation lands him in prison Roshan is dethroned from his position and returns to his ex-wife, Radha (Padmapriya) and son Arman. One thing leads to another and Radha’s friend Bijju (Milind Soman) asks Roshan to run a food truck. The films is about relationships, living one’s dreams and finding the balance between work and life.
Saif Ali Khan excels in films that are slow paced like Hum Tum, Love Aaj Kal and Omkara. Chef too allows Saif Ali Khan relax in to his character. Though his portrayal is well meaning it is not as meaty as the original. His Roshan claims to be boiling with passion but little of that heat comes off on screen.
The side characters are all relatively new faces who shine- particularly the young boy who plays Saif’s son .
Chef is one of those films you can watch on a leisurely afternoons and enjoy the father-son bonding. Don’t expect a coming of age, sensitive chef who discovers the meaning of life through his kitchen. This chef barely uses his knives.
A simple if slightly bland story that is saved by sweet moments – this is a dish that is worth trying.