The Lunchbox

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The Lunchbox

PG

Released Feb 28, 2014

1h 42m

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

121 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Lonely housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) decides to try adding some spice to her stale marriage by preparing a special lunch for her neglectful husband. Unfortunately, the delivery goes astray and winds up in the hands of Saajan (Irrfan Khan), an irritable widower. Curious about her husband's lack of response, Ila adds a note to the next day's lunchbox, and thus begins an unusual friendship in which Saajan and Ila can talk about their joys and sorrows without ever meeting in person.

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Critics Consensus

Warm, affectionate, and sweet but not cloying, The Lunchbox is a clever crowd-pleaser from first-time director Ritesh Batra.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Batra brings out the humdrum of his characters' lives with little deft touches.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 13, 2017

Full Review

Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Batra's characters are a delight. They may be of Mumbai, infused with intense desi flavours, but can inhabit any part of the world.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 13, 2017

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Punch Drunk Critics

This is a thoughtful little movie, one that benefits from its main performances and a nicely slow building romance.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 6, 2017

Full Review

Ishmeet Nagpal

Common Sense Media

This Hindi-language drama is, at times, not an easy watch. But despite the heavy themes, The Lunchbox offers many meaningful takeaways.

Mar 11, 2025

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

... While it doesn't bring anything new to the genre, it enticingly describes the flavor of life. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Joe Muldoon

Battle Royale With Cheese

A fantastic fusion of the culinary and epistolary, The Lunchbox is a reminder to us that love assumes many forms, and can be expressed in many ways.

Jun 5, 2023

Full Review

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Faiz D

Indeed an experience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Adarsh T

The Lunchbox (2013), directed by Ritesh Batra, is a gem of Indian cinema. It beautifully explores themes of loneliness, human connection, and serendipity in a bustling urban landscape. Set in Mumbai, the story revolves around an unusual relationship that develops between a middle-aged widower, Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan), and a neglected housewife, Ila (Nimrat Kaur), through a series of notes exchanged in a mistakenly delivered lunchbox. The movie’s strength lies in its subtle storytelling, evocative performances, and nuanced writing. Irrfan Khan’s restrained yet deeply emotional portrayal of Saajan is outstanding, while Nimrat Kaur brings warmth and vulnerability to her role. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as Saajan’s eager apprentice, Shaikh, adds humor and depth to the narrative. The Mumbai Dabbawala system serves as a unique backdrop, adding a layer of cultural authenticity. The film doesn’t rely on melodrama but instead thrives on quiet, poignant moments. The bittersweet ending leaves viewers with a sense of hope and introspection. The Lunchbox is a heartwarming, timeless tale of love and self-discovery, reminding us that even the smallest connections can leave lasting impacts. It’s a must-watch for fans of meaningful cinema. Verdict: Super Hit.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/25

Full Review

Aaisha G

Awesome storytelling, excellent job by the whole team! You're totally missing out something if you haven't watched it yet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

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Dani G

Simple and efficient romantic drama that goes straight to what it wants to tell

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

Full Review

MD AMIR S

The Lunchbox is a heartwarming Bollywood film that beautifully explores human connection through a mistaken lunch delivery. A must-watch for its simplicity, charm, and emotional depth.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Georgan G

An unusual and delightful film that opens the main characters' heart. Each feels alone but we watch as sharing brings about deeper understanding of personal responsibility.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/16/23

Full Review

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Ritesh Batra

Director

Irrfan Khan

Isaajan

Nimrat Kaur

Ila

Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Shaikh

Denzil Smith

Mr. Shroff

Bharati Achrekar

Mrs. Deshpande

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Synopsis

Lonely housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) decides to try adding some spice to her stale marriage by preparing a special lunch for her neglectful husband. Unfortunately, the delivery goes astray and winds up in the hands of Saajan (Irrfan Khan), an irritable widower. Curious about her husband's lack of response, Ila adds a note to the next day's lunchbox, and thus begins an unusual friendship in which Saajan and Ila can talk about their joys and sorrows without ever meeting in person.

Director: Ritesh Batra
Producer: Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap, Arun Rangachari
Screenwriter: Ritesh Batra
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Dar Motion Pictures, Sikhya Entertainment, Cine Mosaic, Asap Films, Rohfilm, NFDC
Rating: PG (Thematic Material|Smoking)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Original Language: Hindi
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 28, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.2M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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