
The Lunchbox
2013 · Movie · PG · 104 min · ★ 7.4 · 87% critics
A lunchbox delivery mix-up in Mumbai links a lonely housewife and a near-retirement office worker who’ve never met. Through handwritten notes tucked into the meals, they share hopes, humor, and everyday struggles, building a private connection that starts to blur the line between fantasy and real life.
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in the US.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 2013
- Release date
- 2013-09-20
- Language
- Hindi
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Critic score
- 87/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.4/10 (809 votes)
- Box office
- $4,235,151
About
If you enjoy quiet, heartfelt romances about loneliness and connection, this should land well, especially if you liked Photograph; Not for you if you need fast pacing, clear closure, or big, crowd-pleasing moments.
Pros: warm, human story; gentle humor; strong performances | Cons: slow pace; repetitive stretches; open-ended, frustrating finish
Themes
- housewife
- mumbai (bombay), india
- food
- tiffin
- indian cuisine
Cast & crew

Irrfan Khan
as Saajan Fernandes

Nimrat Kaur
as Ila

Nawazuddin Siddiqui
as Shaikh

Lillete Dubey
as Ila's Mother

Nasir Khan
as Ila's Father

Bharati Achrekar
as Mrs. Khrishnan
- NV
Nakul Vaid
as Rajeev
- YN
Yashvi Punneet Nagar
as Yashvi

Denzil Smith
as Mr. Shroff
- SB
Shruti Bapna
as Meherunissa
Directed by Ritesh Batra