‘The Lunch Box’ Review: A True Masterpiece

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddique, Nimrat Kaur

Music: Max Ritcher

Strory, Screenplay, Direction: Ritesh Batra

Banner: UTV, Dharma Productions, Dar Motion Pictures

UTV Motion Pictures and Dharma Productions have taken a big leap with ‘The Lunch Box’, a true masterpiece on love that enhances our perception on love in a beautiful way and makes us realize that Indian Cinema has the capacity to take our own stories to international level. ‘The Lunch Box’ is a simple yet engaging film by debutant director Ritesh Batra. Before its release, the film was screened at various film festivals like Cannes and received a great applause.

Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) is a lonely widower leading a lifeless life. He is about to take voluntary retirement. One day he gets a Tiffin prepared by Illa (Nimrat Kaur), a home-maker, by mistake. He eats it without his knowledge and feels happy to find a new taste in his life. Saajan and Illa find comfort in sharing their feelings with each other. They keep exchanging letters along with the lunch box which contains variety of dishes.

‘The Lunch Box’ is a package of exceptional performances. Right from Irrfan Khan to the Dabbawala, everyone delivered perfect emotions with accurate expressions. Irrfan Khan is brilliant in the scenes where he waits for his lunch box. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is amazing as Irrfan’s assistant. Nimrat is outstanding in the role of home-maker whose feelings are neglected by her husband.

Ritesh Batra makes a surprising entry. He made a simple local story in a path-breaking style with universal appeal. It is happy to see a debutant doing outstanding work as a writer as well as director. ‘The Lunch Box’ is innovative, clever, effective and brilliant right from the first frame to the last one. Ritesh Batra proved that art films doesn’t bore you if they are connected with you in a perfect way. It is a great film in terms of technical aspects too. Max Ritcher’s music perfectly gels with the mood of the scenes.

Biggest strength of ‘The Lunch Box’ is it has no negatives. It is simple yet engaging. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best films ever made on Indian screen. If you miss it, you’ll definitely miss having a great experience.