Chef movie review: Bollywood critics call Saif Ali Khan's film a must watch

Saif Ali Khan's latest release Chef has been getting rave reviews from the critics. Remake of the Hollywood movie by the same name, Chef is being appreciated for its story and performances.

Starring Saif and Padmapriya Janakiraman, Chef is an official Hindi remake of Hollywood film by the same title, which had featured Jon Favreau in the lead role. As the original movie was a critically acclaimed one, similar magic was being expected from Saif-starrer as well.

And looks like Saif and his team have lived up to the expectations. Chef has been premiered in some parts of the globe, and critics are praising the movie big time. The initial reviews are all in favour of the film. 

The critics have applauded the flick for its engaging narration, good performances and light humour. Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Chef is a movie about a chef played by Saif, who is very passionate about his work. Padmapriya plays his ex wife who got a divorce from him. However, they still share good relationship, and are connected by their son portrayed by Svar Kamble.

In the quest to follow his passion of cooking, Saif somehow realises that he has missed out on other important things in life like loving and spending time with his son. How he later does that and what all problems arise out of it, make the crux of the story.

The critics are mighty impressed by Saif's latest release as they say that Chef is a wonderful and entertaining remake of the 2014 film. Check some of the reviews on Chef by critics:

Manjusha Radhakrishnan of Gulf News said: "While it has been handled maturely, it would have been gratifying to know why they split and got divorced. Their estrangement had no riveting back story. But that shouldn't stand in your way of enjoying this heart-warming drama. It's modern, funny and leaves you hungry for more."

Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV said: "Chef showcases the power of cultural fidelity while upholding the need for adaptability. In the portions in the first half in which the father takes his son on a trip back to his roots - to Delhi and Amritsar, where he learnt the ropes from a sweetmeat seller and a dhaba owner before making the leap into the global arena - the son is all ears. As father and son learn the tricks of life from each other, they attain completion."

Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost said: "Chef is a slick production, with everything and everyone looking good from start to finish. That said, it is an extremely frustrating experience. The joy of watching any road movie is to see the changing geography and cultures of the places the protagonists pass through. We get a decent serving of the former and a teeny bit of the latter here. What is truly unforgivable though is Chef's lack of fervour for food."

Sweta Kaushal of Hindustan Times said: "Chef offers moments of brilliance which, if weaved in a more organised manner, may have given us a light, affable film. But a lazy and rather uninterested narrative takes away the pleasure."

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express said: "The film does make a stab at depicting the sensuousness that comes with the true enjoyment of cooking and savouring colors and tastes, but it remains, just that, a stab: no one, including Kalra, gets their nose really busy."

Bollywood Hungama: On the whole, CHEF is a feel good cerebral entertainer that charms you with its simplicity.