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The Lunchbox

Play trailer Poster for The Lunchbox PG 2014 1h 45m Comedy Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 123 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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The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox

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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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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook Dec 13, 2017
3/4
Batra brings out the humdrum of his characters' lives with little deft touches. Go to Full Review Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Dec 13, 2017
3.5/5
Batra's characters are a delight. They may be of Mumbai, infused with intense desi flavours, but can inhabit any part of the world. Go to Full Review Roxana Hadadi Punch Drunk Critics Jan 6, 2017
4/5
This is a thoughtful little movie, one that benefits from its main performances and a nicely slow building romance. Go to Full Review Ishmeet Nagpal Common Sense Media Mar 11, 2025
This Hindi-language drama is, at times, not an easy watch. But despite the heavy themes, The Lunchbox offers many meaningful takeaways. Go to Full Review Joe Muldoon Battle Royale With Cheese Jun 5, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Anna M.M. Vetticad annavetticadgoes2themovies Jan 15, 2023
4.5/5
The Lunchbox is seemingly simple yet as complex as all human beings are. It’s sad yet throws up humour when you are least expecting it. It’s not larger than life, it’s just as large as life always is. This film is truly sensational. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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aarit B @RT13528013 Oct 23, 2026 Wonderful representation of two different lives which feels so similar and the ending was so good really makes you WONDER Such a deep film man LOVED IT See more Brij K @RT35203940 Aug 2, 2026 The Lunchbox is a gentle, intelligent and deeply human film. It is less about romance and more about loneliness, hope and the unexpected ways people find their way into each other's lives. A quiet film that stays with you long after the credits roll. See more R T @SUFIYANKHANN_ Jun 9, 2026 The Lunchbox proves that the most meaningful relationships can emerge from the simplest accidents. Through handwritten notes and everyday conversations, it explores loneliness, missed opportunities, and the quiet hope of being understood. It's gentle, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound. See more Bhoomi B @GraceReviews26 May 29, 2026 The Lunchbox is a beautifully simple film about loneliness, connection, and the small moments that change people. Irrfan Khan delivers one of his most natural performances, and the emotional depth feels very real. Quiet, heartfelt, and unforgettable. See more Fiona H @FionaHayden May 29, 2026 The Lunchbox is simple, quiet, and emotionally honest. The movie shows how small human connections can completely change someone’s life without relying on dramatic moments. Irrfan Khan’s performance feels natural and deeply relatable, and the ending stays with you long after the movie ends. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 3, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Thematic Material and Smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2014-2025 by Sony Pictures Classics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Lunchbox

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Lunchbox

Nimrat Kaur as Ila in "The Lunchbox." Irrfan Khan as Saajan in "The Lunchbox." (L-R) Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Shaikh and Irrfan Khan as Saajan as "The Lunchbox." Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Shaikh in "The Lunchbox." Nimrat Kaur as Ila in "The Lunchbox." (L-R) Irrfan Khan as Saajan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Shaikh in "The Lunchbox." Nimrat Kaur as Ila in "The Lunchbox." Irrfan Khan as Saajan in "The Lunchbox." Irrfan Khan as Saajan in "The Lunchbox." (L-R) Nimrat Kaur as Ila and Yashvi Puneet Nagar as Yashvi in "The Lunchbox." View more photos

Movie Info

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
Sikhya Entertainment, Dharma Productions, UTV Motion Pictures, arte France Cinéma, Dar Motion Pictures
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 45m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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