Many moviegoers who went to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 on May 1 and 2 anticipated a film filled with adult content, given its ‘A’ certification. However, once they left the theater, those concerns vanished. Audiences agreed there was nothing inappropriate in the movie regarding dialogue, scenes, or themes. Most viewers felt it was family-friendly, suggesting that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should have rated it as U/A, or even U.
Interestingly, a review of global ratings showed that India is the only country to classify The Devil Wears Prada 2 as suitable only for those aged 18 and above. In contrast, Switzerland allows viewers as young as 6, while others like Finland, Denmark, and Spain permit children aged 7 and older. Countries such as Ireland set the age at 8, and Belgium and the Netherlands at 9. Turkey classified the film with a 10A rating, allowing minors to watch it with an adult.
Many places, including Brazil, Hungary, and the UK, have given a 12 rating, meaning people over 12 can go alone, while 13 is the benchmark in Argentina, Bahrain, and the U.S., where younger viewers can attend with adults. Other countries like Lebanon and Vietnam require viewers to be at least 13.
In Australia and Saudi Arabia, the film received an M rating, allowing those under 15 to watch it if accompanied by an adult. Kuwait restricts viewers under 15, and in Russia, the age is 16. Egypt, Hong Kong, and the Philippines issued a ‘Parental Guidance’ rating, while 11 countries, including Germany and Italy, declared it suitable for all ages.
This debate over the ‘A’ rating recalls memories of La La Land, which also had family-friendly content but received the same strict rating in India. Most other countries deemed it suitable for younger audiences.
Ultimately, this situation raises the question: What did the CBFC see in The Devil Wears Prada 2 that others missed? With so many countries approving the film for younger viewers, India’s high rating seems unwarranted. This kind of confusing classification can deter families from the cinema, impacting the film industry negatively. Despite this, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is performing well at the Indian box office. However, many believe the CBFC should clarify its rating decision.
