Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nimrat Kaur
Directed by: Ritesh Batra
In the busy hustle-bustle of the stodgy lives that we live in the metropolitan cities we often tend to forget the simple way of living life. Complex mechanism takes over and simple emotions and desires get buried deep down under the blankets of loneliness and monotony. But it is an inevitable fact that life is a big surprise and as they say, sometimes even the wrong train takes us to the right destination. Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox edifies the same canon. It also glorifies the feeling of love which is beyond the contours of the society. It is a simple feeling that develops between two souls that find solace in each other.
Plot: The film is about two desolate souls who develop a unique bond of love because of a wrongly delivered lunchbox. Their relationship fosters on a few scribbled notes that they exchange in that lunchbox.
Performances: The impeccable expertise of Irrfan Khan has been acknowledged worldwide. His excellent grasp of the characters he plays is profoundly admirable. Here, as a retiring service man, he is amazingly incredible. He portrays the melancholy and loneliness of his character beyond perfection. Truly, the astounding caliber of this actor is sans pareil.
Nimrat Kaur, who plays the lonesome wife and dutiful mother who aches for her husband’s attention, is surprisingly natural. Every shade of the character she plays has been brought out with perfection. She looks beautiful as a simple housewife. Even in an unglamorous role, she proves to be an actress with immense potential.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has nailed it again. He is truly exceptional no matter what the role is. As a supporting character, he is hard to ignore. He definitely keeps up with the parallels of his co-actors.
Music: In a beautiful narration like this, songs are hardly required. As for the music, it only has the title track of the hit film Saajan that coincides with the name of the lead character.
What’s good: Every minute detail of the typical mediocre life that the director takes into account is laudable. A simple story, that has been beautifully executed, touches upon the complexities of life. The fine performances of the actors and the heart-melting feel of the movie leave you captivated.
What’s bad: Nothing i could find that was bad about it.
Cinema has the power to bring into limelight the unintentionally forgotten aspects of our lives. It has the power to inculcate wise lessons and new hopes in our lives. Indian Cinema is an art that is known for its realism and content and films like The Lunchbox definitely make our heart proud.
Verdict: Life is a lunchbox that serves new dishes every day and love is the most essential flavour of life that needs to be dearly cherished. The Lunchbox will make you laugh, cry and feel hungry at the same time!
Rating: ****
