The Lunchbox:

The Lunchbox explores a part of our lives not so distant and yet so far; the art of writing
notes and letters! Something that was so common in the days past yet conveniently
relegated in our context of modern day communication; where there is a zero lag
between the disparate acts of sending and receiving.
The film exemplifies the act of such simple exchanges from the days of yore, told so
lucidly and poignantly that it leaves a bitter sweet taste of the symphony called life. It is
magical food for the soul. It explores the flavours of love, loneliness and distancing
relationships that cut across all barriers, be it age or social strata or work in the realm of
lives of people in this day and age. People who whilst in a crowded megapolis are lonely.
Who find themselves all alone in the seas of human masses!
The film is a simple love story against the backdrop of the City of Mumbai. The
protagonists are a stoic gentleman on the verge of an early retirement (Irrfan Khan as
Saajan Fernandez), his effervescent replacement to be (Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Shaikh)
and a lonely homemaker (Nimrat Kaur as Ila). The film is centred around the very lifeline
of Mumbai, the dabbawallas who deliver nearly 2 lakh office goers everyday.
The story strings itself along the very ironical case of an incorrectly delivered dabba
(Tiffin box). This one incorrect delivery starts a chain of events that triggers a daily
exchange of letters between Mr Fernandez and Ila. These are simple letters from one
lonely soul, a widower to another; a homemaker who gets little attention from her
husband who is caught up in the rat race. Their exchanges are poetic yet deeply
philosophical. They speak of nothing specific yet of nearly anything under the sun. It is
almost the coming together of two long lost friends who cant even recognize each other
and yet are at a complete ease when it comes to communicating with one other; with a
surreal and almost childlike innocence at el. Their lives are so distinct and yet similar,
especially in the wake of them both being so lonely that they exchange letters via the
tiffin, for which was not even the intended recipient in the first place!
The film is a tad slow but that only adds to the drama it creates and the unfolding of
events. The characters complement each other beautifully. The relationship between
Shaikh and Fernnadez comes out so beautifully throughout the film. Theirs are such
distinct characters and yet the chemistry has to be seen to be believed. Indeed some
great work as would have been expected from the likes of Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddiin
Siddiqui. The surprise package is the performance from Nimrat Kaur. She breathes in so
much believability in her portrayal of a bored homemaker seeking solace in exchanging
letters with a random person whom she has not even seen.
Overall, the film is something more experiential in nature rather than visual. The treats it
offers are more heart tugging than jaw dropping. The key highlights are the
performances, the locations and some great characterisation. This is one of the best films
to have come out in the name of Hindi cinema. A must watch for all who love philosophy
and prefer the figments of their own imagination to take flight rather than the depraved
megalomania of mainstream Bollywood honchos.
If good acting is all about playing a character, then this film is will make all viewers forget
the actors from the characters. A must watch! :)