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The Lunchbox

Play trailer Poster for The Lunchbox PG 2014 1h 42m Comedy Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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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 12/13/2017
3/4
Batra brings out the humdrum of his characters' lives with little deft touches. Go to Full Review Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express 12/13/2017
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 01/06/2017
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 03/11/2025
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 Emiliano Basile EscribiendoCine 06/27/2023
7/10
... While it doesn't bring anything new to the genre, it enticingly describes the flavor of life. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Joe Muldoon Battle Royale With Cheese 06/05/2023
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 3 Funny in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Thematic Material and Smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2014-2025 by Sony Pictures Classics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Faiz D @RT95588871 May 13 Indeed an experience. See more Adarsh T @Adarsh0903 01/28/2025 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. See more Aaisha G @RT57160570 12/12/2024 Awesome storytelling, excellent job by the whole team! You're totally missing out something if you haven't watched it yet. See more Dani G @RT81139271 11/25/2024 Simple and efficient romantic drama that goes straight to what it wants to tell See more MD AMIR S @unknownshoaib 10/14/2024 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. 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
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)