Can you fall in love with someone you've never met? The Lunch Box.

Now that's what I call something out of the box or rather "Lunchbox." In the current age of Indian cinema where Gen-X kind of love stories are the spice of the season, "The Lunchbox" seems to be a story with a difference, which can definitely leave you under the mesmerizing spell of awe. And why I am calling,"The Lunchbox", a story with a difference, because in the era where emails, instant messaging and numerous other social media platforms are considered to be the backbone of romanticism, the author, Ritiesh Batra has tried his hands on something entirely unimaginable, "a lunchbox", where scribble notes placed in the lunchbox emerge as a mean of communication between two strangers who just have three things in common, "desolation, loneliness and a need for love". To some of the gen-next cine buffs the idea may seem something outdated and stodgy, but it's this simplicity of the movie which envelops your "heart and brain" within no time. "The Lunchbox" is a placid yet spellbinding narration of a relationship which dawns by the wrong delivery of a lunchbox and subsequently unfurls the various shades of human life and desires.

The dabba system in Mumbai is incredible and renowned and praised globally as every single day, the dabbas always precisely reach at the right time and at the right place. A few years back, an article in The Times of India stated that ‘(the system is so well coordinated and organized that) no roti ever reaches the wrong mouth’! Unfortunately, dabbawalas are also humans and at times, they do error. And director Ritesh Batra chooses to tell one such tale that changes lives, with his debut venture The Lunchbox. And as expected, this is one brilliant film! The Lunchbox is portrayed very realistically and anyone who is working in Mumbai, travelling by local trains and using the services of the dabbawalas will instantly relate to the goings-on. Director Ritesh Batra handles the subject like a pro. The biggest challenge was to engage viewers despite the slow pace. And Ritesh does it so beautifully! Also, watch out how there are so many scenes involving Ila opening the dabba in the evening to read Saajan’s note. Note how each of these scenes are shot in a different style and angle. Hence, monotony just doesn’t set in the film ever! The writing is terrific and some scenes are tremendously funny and instantly get a smile on one’s face. At the same time, it is all seamlessly incorporated in the film and hence, it doesn’t even look out of place.

The Lunchbox is also a testimony to Irrfan Khan’s acting talent, his versatility and his awesome ability to internalize the character. He’s been given sparse dialogues, yet there’s not a frame where his body language, his slouched Performance, his thoughtful gazes don’t speak. Check out the scene when he stares at a happy family having dinner. The expression on his face underscores the character’s loneliness and longing. Pitted opposite him, Nimrat Kaur comes up with a performance to merit an award. She’s verily the housewife with her own insecurities, vulnerability and a bit of self-pride. Nimrat catches the nuances of her character darn well. Nimrat who despite the presence of two of the most talented actors in the movie, never gets overshadowed and quite conveniently succeeds in making her presence feel. While portraying Ila, Nimrat looks completely effortless in bringing alive the latent feelings of a lonely housewife and up-till great extent succeeds in making her character a believable one.

The Lunchbox is a rare cinematic gem to have come from Hindi film industry. It’s a film that a lover of good cinema shouldn’t miss.