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The Lunchbox (2013)
"Dabba" (original title)

PG  |   |  Drama, Romance  |  20 September 2013 (India)
7.8
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Ratings: 7.8/10 from 25,505 users   Metascore: 76/100
Reviews: 159 user | 193 critic | 29 from Metacritic.com

A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (hindi dialogue writer)
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Title: The Lunchbox (2013)

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Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 27 wins & 35 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Ila
...
...
Ila's Mother
Nakul Vaid ...
Rajeev
Bharati Achrekar ...
Auntie
Yashvi Puneet Nagar ...
Yashvi
...
Mr. Shroff
Shruti Bapna ...
Mehrunnisa
Nasir Khan ...
Ila's Father
Lokesh Raj ...
Duke's Owner
Sadashiv Kondaji Pokarkar ...
Dabbawallah at Ila's House
Aarti Rathod ...
Saajan's Neighbor
Krishna Bai ...
Toothless Woman
Raj Rishi More ...
Ila's Brother
Edit

Storyline

The film, set in Mumbai, revolves around a mistaken delivery by the Dabbawalas (lunchbox service) of Mumbai, which leads to a relationship between Saajan, a lonely widower close to retirement, and Ila, an unhappy housewife, as they start exchanging notes through the daily lunchbox. Written by Iceman

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Can you fall in love with someone you have never met?

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material and smoking | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| | |

Language:

|

Release Date:

20 September 2013 (India)  »

Also Known As:

The Lunchbox  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$44,542 (USA) (28 February 2014)

Gross:

$4,231,500 (USA) (12 September 2014)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The three main characters in the film- Saajan (Irrfan Khan), Sheikh (Nawazzudin Siqiui) and Ila (Nimrat Kaur), all belong to different religions. Saajan is a Christian, Sheikh a Muslim, and Ila is a Hindu. This signifies the unity in diversity existing in the Mumbai City. See more »

Goofs

When Saajan received lunch box for the first time there were four compartments of the lunch box. He opens only three compartments of the lunch box. but when camera changes it can be seen whole lunch box open. See more »

Quotes

Saajan Fernandes: I think we forget things if there is nobody to tell them.
See more »

Connections

References Saajan (1991) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Delicious Love Story
20 September 2013 | by (India) – See all my reviews

In an age when instant messaging, email, and various social media have made communication easier and quicker, debutant writer-director Ritesh Batra relies on scribbled notes tucked in tiffin boxes to deliver a charming, old-fashioned love story in The Lunchbox. There's a simple line in this sumptuous film that captures its essence beautifully: "Sometimes even the wrong train can take you to the right destination." It's a line that might help interpret the film's open ending, but one that also nicely sums up its unique premise.

I'm going with ten ratings for The Lunchbox. The greatest love stories are the ones that make you root for the protagonists to come together, despite their destinies. This film illustrates how love transforms the unlikeliest of people; it breaks down Saajan's walls and gives Ila the courage to fly. Treat yourself to The Lunchbox – it'll leave you with a craving to seek your own little happiness. Best film I've seen in a long time. Acting of Irfan 10/10 Film Rating - 10/10

I believe that this time LunchBox will surely make history in Oscars .


57 of 64 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Recent Posts
A couple questions Rheli
Jewelry removal scene symbolic of woman who jumped from the building? hurleycompanies
how much of the dialogs are in Hindi? gabriele-fanelli
Fernandes is an Indian name? vixenviewer
Golden Globe snub? accdla
Question about release gregbarnes
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