Movie Review: The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox (Dabba) 

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Denzil Smith, Bharati Achrekar, Nakul Vaid, Yashvi Puneet Nagar, Lillete Dubey 

Director: Ritesh Batra 

DAR Motion Pictures, Rohfilm, UTV Motion Pictures, Dharma Productions, Sikhya Entertainment, NFDC, India, France, Germany, 2013. 

In India the wifes send lunch to their husband's work place via a efficient transport system called Dabbawalas. Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) is an accountant working in an insurance agency. He is planning to retire early from his job. He is grumpy and lonely. Saajan is not married so he orders his lunch from restaurant. Saajan must train a follower, Shaikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who seems sloppy and is always late for raining. Ila (Nimrat Kaur) is a wife who tries to get the attention of her distant husband Rajiv (Nakul Vaid) by sending him delicious food to his workplace. Ila's gets advice and cooking tips from her aunt Deshpande (Bharati Achrekar) who lives upstairs and is never seen. 

Dabbawalas lunch delivery system

Ila tries to get the attention of her distant husband

Saajan must train a follower, Shaikh

One day the lunchbox goes to wrong address, and Saajan gets it. The lunchbox comes back empty and Ila is happy that her husband liked the food. Rajiv however casually describes eating something completely different food. After realising the mix up, Ila sends a message to the unknown recipient, thanking him for liking her food. 

Dabbawala delivering the lunch

Saajan gets the wrong lunchbox

Saajan and Ila start to send messages using the lunchbox and they become friends. Also Saajan and Shaikh begin to get along better. Shaikh does not have relatives because he is an orphan and he must struggle go get ahead in his career. He invites Saajan to meet his bride Mehrunnisa (Shruti Bapna).

Saajan and Ila start sending notes

Saajan and Shaikh sharing a meal

Saajan and Mehrunnissa

Eventually Ila and Saajan start to fall in love and decide to meet. However Saajan hesitates not going to the meeting because he thinks he is too old. They both have to consider about starting their life again. 

Mmm, chili!

The story goes on leisurely. The movie is not usual Bollywood-style with songs and dance-numbers, the approach is more realistic. The movie is a different kind of romantic movie. The movie also tells about loneliness in an overcrowded city.

Rating: Very good