India Makes Waves as the Sole Country to Grant ‘A’ Rating to The Devil Wears Prada 2
Many moviegoers who attended the screenings of The Devil Wears Prada 2 over the weekend were surprised by the film’s content, given its ‘A’ rating in India. Contrary to expectations of adult themes, the film has been widely regarded as family-friendly. Viewers and critics alike are questioning the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision, suggesting that a ‘U’ or ‘U/A’ rating would have been more appropriate. This discrepancy has sparked discussions about the film’s classification in comparison to its ratings in other countries.
India’s Unique Rating for The Devil Wears Prada 2
Bollywood Hungama’s analysis reveals that India stands alone in granting *The Devil Wears Prada 2* an ‘A’ rating, which restricts viewers to those aged 18 and older. In stark contrast, countries like Switzerland allow children as young as six to watch the film. Other nations, including Finland, Denmark, and Spain, permit viewers aged seven and above. In Ireland, the minimum age is eight, while Belgium and the Netherlands set the limit at nine. Turkey has classified the film with a 10A rating, indicating that minors can attend if accompanied by an adult.
The ratings in various countries show a trend toward accessibility for younger audiences. For instance, Brazil, Hungary, Malta, the UK, and several others have assigned a 12 rating, allowing those under 12 to watch with adult supervision. In Argentina, Bahrain, and the United States, viewers must be at least 13 or accompanied by an adult. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Vietnam have issued PG13 and T13 ratings, respectively, restricting access to those under 13.
Comparative Ratings Across the Globe
In Australia and Saudi Arabia, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* has received M and PG15 ratings, allowing those under 15 to attend with an adult. Kuwait and Russia have set their minimum viewing age at 15 and 16, respectively. Additionally, Egypt, Hong Kong, and the Philippines have assigned a ‘Parental Guidance’ rating, suggesting that parental discretion is advised. Notably, the film is completely unrestricted in 11 countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, where audiences of all ages can enjoy it without any limitations.
This widespread acceptance of the film among younger viewers raises questions about the CBFC’s stringent rating in India. The inconsistency in ratings across different regions highlights a significant disparity in how content is perceived and classified globally.
Historical Context and Industry Impact
The situation surrounding *The Devil Wears Prada 2* echoes the controversy that arose with the film *La La Land* in 2016, which also received an ‘A’ rating in India despite its family-friendly content. Similar to the current film, *La La Land* was deemed suitable for younger audiences in most other countries. This pattern of strict ratings in India prompts a critical examination of the CBFC’s criteria and decision-making process.
As the Indian film industry seeks to attract families back to theaters, such perplexing certification choices can have detrimental effects on box office performance and audience engagement. Although *The Devil Wears Prada 2* is performing well at the box office despite its ‘A’ rating, the CBFC’s rationale for this classification remains unclear. The industry and audiences alike are left wondering what specific elements led to this decision, especially when the film has been embraced by viewers worldwide.
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