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IMDb rating Visit page
IMDb rating 7.8
Critic rating Average critic rating
Critic rating 7.8

Reviews

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Critic Ben Kenigsberg
rated 6

It’s a movie built out of grace notes and subtle gestures; when Saajan’s attitude toward his apprentice thaws, it qualifies as an epiphany.

Read full review at The A.V. Club
Critic David Parkinson
rated 8

The slow-burning relationship is handled with wit, charm and poignancy, but Batra and cinematographer Michael Simmonds also excel at conveying loneliness in a teeming metropolis.

Read full review at Empire
Critic Xan Brooks
rated 8

...is perfectly handled and beautifully acted; a quiet storm of banked emotions.

Read full review at The Guardian
Critic Lise Ulrich
rated 8

...en skøn indisk ret krydret med et styks sorgfuld enkemand i Mumbai, en forsømt hustru og håndskrevne breve i madpakken.

Read full review at Soundvenue
Critic Signe Mai Søsted
rated 8

Filmen er et tankevækkende eksempel på, hvad der sker i mødet mellem ung og ældre, nyt og gammelt - ikke kun menneskeligt men også samfundsmæssigt.

Read full review at Cinemazone
Critic Jens Peterson
rated 8

Det finns mycket att tycka om i ”The lunchbox”. Det är ett originellt sätt för två främlingar att mötas i en romantisk komedi, och brevväxlingen mellan de två huvudpersonerna ger oss två människoöden.

Read full review at Aftonbladet
Critic Leslie Felperin
rated 8

Konceptet er potentielt plat, men manuskriptforfatter og instruktør Ritesh Batra og medforfatter Rutvik Oza anretter materialet som en delikat, kysk kærlighedshistorie krydret med humor og melankoli i den helt rette dosering.

Read full review at Filmmagasinet Ekko
Critic Jonna Vanhatalo
rated 8

Ett fantastiskt välspelat drama, som långt efteråt värmer själen och lär även kunna tina upp de frusnaste av hjärtan.

Read full review at Moviezine

Cast & Crew

Ritesh Batra
Director
Ritesh Batra
Writer
Irrfan Khan
As Saajan Fernandes
Denzil Smith
As Mr. Shroff
Lillete Dubey
As Ila's Mother
Nimrat Kaur
As Ila

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Lunchbox about? Toggle content

The Lunchbox is a 2013 Indian romantic drama film directed by Ritesh Batra. The film tells the story of Ila Singh, a young housewife who lives in Mumbai and decides to spice up her life by preparing delicious meals for her husband and sending them to him through the famous Mumbai lunchbox delivery service. However, one day the lunchbox is delivered to the wrong person, Saajan Fernandes, a lonely widower who works as an accountant. The two strangers start exchanging notes through the lunchbox and develop a connection that threatens to upset their mundane routines. The film features Irrfan Khan as Saajan Fernandes, Nimrat Kaur as Ila Singh, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Aslam Shaikh, Saajan's colleague, Lillete Dubey as Ila's mother, and Nakul Vaid as Ila's husband. The Lunchbox premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 and was widely acclaimed for its unique storyline, strong performances by the cast, and its poignant portrayal of human connections in modern-day Mumbai. It won several awards at various film festivals around the world and became one of India's most successful independent films of recent years.

Where can I stream The Lunchbox? Toggle content

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What movies are similar to The Lunchbox? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as The Lunchbox include The Age of Adaline, Forever My Girl, The Lobster, Passengers, Call Me by Your Name, Her.