The Lunchbox

2014 • 105 minutes

About this movie

A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects Ila, a neglected housewife, to Saajan (Irrfan Khan), a lonely man on the verge of retirement. Through a series of exchanged notes that they pass back and forth through the lunches, Saajan and Ila find comfort in their unexpected friendship. Gradually, their notes become little confessions about their loneliness, memories, regrets, fears, and even small joys. They each discover a new sense of self and find an anchor to hold on to in the big city of Mumbai that so often crushes hopes and dreams. Still strangers physically, Ila and Saajan become lost in their virtual relationship that could jeopardize both their realities.

Ratings and reviews

Yes IK is an awesome actor! Its refreshing not to see all the loose ends tied up - thats life and how it should be for some relationships. Well done!

Kept our interest so tightly we sat through the entire 104 minutes again with the director's notes version. We rented for $3.50 however. Not sure why Google is only selling.

Like life, it seems very slow-paced; like life, it was over all too fast. All the interaction between the two main characters is only through letters. Still, these two are such excellent actors that I very quickly came to care what happened to them and those around them. Excellent writing, filming, directing... the only drawback was the ending, and yet, even that was perfect and true to the story. Well done!