The Lunchbox - a delightful treat!!

Anybody who thought great movies need grand canvas should watch The Lunchbox. With a limited canvas of a small kitchen, an office desk, office canteen and a lunchbox, Ritesh batra spins an unalloyed story that speaks of pure emotions.

It’s a small mistake that leads to creating a bond between two lonely people. The bonding between Saajan Fernandes and Ila depicts that agonizing need for companionship and loneliness that is followed by ever growing silence. Beauty of the story lies in the exchange of thoughts and conversations through letters between the two.

Irrfan khan as Saajan fernandes is simply adorable. You may feel like you have known someone like him. As an officer in the claims department, he is meticulous and not to mess with kinds. A lonely man who is on the verge of retiring, he has only one job left to do, reliving the memories by looking at the past. It’s his sheer optimism, his sense of humor, and honesty with which he looks at things makes him so appealing. His apprehension towards Shaikh in the beginning and his being present at his wedding as a guardian brings out his complete character. A widower with a good heart, he knows what it’s like to be lonely. The way he thanks Ila for letting him be a part of her life, will make you believe in the goodness that still exists and that the gratitude and well-being of the other still can be the foundation of many relationships.  

Nimrat kaur as Ila is amazing as a bereft housewife whose husband is having an affair. She seeks comfort by developing a bond through letters with an aged man. Her silence before she speaks mirrors her helplessness. She epitomizes those middle class housewives who lose conversations and happiness in those stale hours that are filled with loneliness and poignant silence. Each time she utters ‘aunty’ from her kitchen, she portrays different shade of loneliness. It’s desperate, tired, urgent and helpless.

Nawazuddin as Shaikh is likeable in his persistent annoyance. His tricks to win favor of Sajan Fernandes are endearing. He becomes that breathing space that gives the story its funny moments.

Every framework of the movie retains its simplicity and honesty. Be it the kitchen or shots of the dabbawala in the train, every shot looks real. The background score creates tunes with vessels, pitter-patter of the rain, commotion in the train, everything that sounds familiar. Ritesh Batra just keeps what is required and he is great in bringing out the theme of loneliness on a limited canvas. He keeps it real. The Lunchbox is an unadulterated form of entertainment. Thanks to Ritesh batra for not corrupting the end of the movie. He leaves the audience with an ending that is real and which leaves a room for thinking.

You won’t be surprised if you can hear the song of the dabbavala much after you have left the theatre. I will sum up with a quote from the movie – ‘We forget things if we have no one to tell them’.

 Make sure you tell everyone about The Lunchbox and the delightful treat that it offers!