Saif Ali Khan’s ‘CHEF’ (2017) Could Be A Worthy Bollywood Remake To Jon Favreau’s Original

Bollywood has a penchant for love stories. But, as I've mentioned many times, other relationships get lost in the shuffle of hordes romantic love stories. However, 'Chef' seems to be a movie that focuses more on the father-son relationship, while trying to be a completely foodie movie.

Saif Ali Khan is back to form in the theatrical trailer for 'Chef'

The 2014 Hollywood movie 'Chef', written, directed and starring Jon Favreau, was kind of a passion project for him. The mega-director responsible for kick-starting the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 'Iron Man' in 2008, was fed up with the major Hollywood studio system, and set out to make a small movie with 'Chef'.

The film's story almost reflects this meta-crisis of Favreau's, with a character going through similar identity crisis, but in the restaurant business. The movie was such a critical darling, that an official Bollywood remake of the same name is looking to be released soon.

Starring Saif Ali Khan in the titular role, the Bollywood 'Chef' seems to keep the focus of the story on the father-son relationship of the original. Khan plays a negligent father who reconnects with his son, while on the journey to share with him his own passion for food, which coincides with his own professional crisis.

The Trailer for 'Chef' looks incredibly sweet, subtle and endearing as hell! For a movie with the subject matter of a family relationship, there is nothing that looks melodramatic or hyper emotional. There is a quiet sadness in the events that are played by the actors with a lot of restraint and subtlety. 'Chef' looks like a very understated movie about life, passion and relationships.

'Chef' is  written and directed by Raja Krishna Menon, whose last film was the Akshay Kumar starrer 'Airlift'. While 'Airlift' didn't impress many, Menon definitely brought some counterintuitive filmmaking techniques to the forefront. His dialogues and directing of his actors are incredibly natural and organic. Even in a movie with a serious subject matter like 'Airlift', the histrionics are kept to a minimum.

Saif Ali Khan's own personality has at times interferes with the character he plays. But 'Chef' seems to be the actor returning to form in a movie that is self aware, in a role that is incredibly flawed and complex, that relies more on the performance than style, costume or a need to be cool and charming. It's a small movie where the connection between the audiences and Khan is just the camera and the story. Back to basics, as it were.

'Chef' looks like a heartwarming story and the young boy playing the son looks to be a refreshing new talent as well.

'Chef' releases October 6th, 2017.

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