The Lunchbox

Be warned: Do not go to this film hungry. There are several scenes of mouth-watering Indian food being prepared, cooked and eaten. Food is the center of this quaint and charming film that takes place in Mumbai. Sajaan (Irrfan Khan) is a widower only days away from retiring from his dull office job. The employees pay for a lunch service delivered by bike courier from restaurants and residences. As the film opens, Sajaan mistakenly receives an intricate lunchbox full of delicious-looking food made with care and love by Ila, who prepared it for her neglectful husband. Sajaan and Ila begin sending notes through the lunchbox daily, starting something of a food affair, and this leads to the couple opening up to each other in new and inventive ways. Newcomer Ritesh Batra is more than a capable director; this film could have turned to paneer in lesser hands.