The Lunchbox

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The Lunchbox

PG

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

12/13/2017

3/4

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.

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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Faiz D

@RT95588871 May 13

Indeed an experience.

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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.

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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.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 11/25/2024

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

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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.

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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)