The dabbawalla delivery system is an organized chain of delivery men that has efficiently operated since the British era (over 125 years), and by using a unique code delivers tens of thousands of meals to workplaces with near-precision. The name is derived from "tiffin dabba" that refers to a light-meal lunch, and "walla" refers to the man who carries it. The dabbawalla system is the center of The LunchBox and leads to a romantic relationship when one lunch box is inadvertently delivered to the wrong gentleman.
Young, beautiful, but terribly neglected housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) lovingly prepares her husband's lunch in high hopes of adding a little spice to their waning married life. Meanwhile, a dabbawalla is at the door to collect the lunch box for delivery to her husband's workplace. The lunch box is on its way as she anxiously awaits his comment on this delicious meal. When husband Rajeev (Nakul Vaid) returns without comment and completely indifferent, she has to wonder why the lunch box was completely empty.
Meanwhile, widowed and near-retirement office worker Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) receives the delicious lunch box meal and sends the canisters back licked clean. Ila realizes that the meal must have gone to someone else who enjoyed it. When Saajan receives the next lunch box, there is a note from Ila enclosed explaining how she had hoped the meals would encourage her husband. So, Saajan returns a note to Ila and this begins a relationship that opens the door to trust, companionship and romance.
As the relationship grows between Saajan and Ila, the film shows the stodgy, widowed accountant slowly coming out of his introverted shell and begins to glow and feel younger, while Ila becomes more self-secure and independent.
In the backdrop of The LunchBox are the quiet, uninteresting lives of Saajan and Ila; he imprisoned by a past marriage, and she imprisoned by a current one. As they relate their fears and dreams to each other, it frees them to have hope for the future. Saajan is able to make a friendship with a co-worker, and Ila looks forward to meeting Saajan for the first time -- both taking baby steps toward a new life.
The LunchBox reveals many traditions that in this new society are being re-examined with hope for a newly promised future. In the center of this movie are the dabbawallas setting the pace and singing familiar songs in rhythm with the hurried atmosphere. Then there is the background of Ila and Saajan's lives, slowly moving toward awakening and decisions of moving beyond the imprisonment of tradition to a promising future. And as always, there are the souls that have surrendered their lives to the unknown through suicide which is a black cloud that pushes forward to blot out the future leaving nothingness.
The Blu-Ray really helps create the proper atmosphere and pace for the movie. The special features include previews, trailer, and commentary from writer-director Ritesh Batra. He mentions how they chose the auntie (Bharati Achrekar) to play this part and how they tried to make the basket be the auntie since you only heard her voice. He mentioned that Ila's dishes corresponded with her relationship with Saajan -- that they became easier to make as their friendship deepened. And that Saajan's wardrobe became brighter colors as he began to think of himself in a younger light. Batra also brought in some of the old folklore, especially when auntie suggested Ila soak almonds at night and eat them in the morning as a memory tonic. The commentary was filled with nuances that the writer-director shared in his movie.
I must mention that the supporting cast played their parts brilliantly. Especially the role of Saajan's new friend, Shaikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who was orphaned as a child, and has become Saajan's assistant through the course of their friendship and work. In the end, Saajan agrees to being his guardian in his on-coming wedding. Shaikh's role brought humor and lightness to the movie and his quirkiness brought a change to Saajan's demeanor. Meanwhile, the roles of Ila's auntie and her mother (Lillete Dubey) illuminated the desolation endured in loveless marriages.
I thought at first viewing of The LunchBox that the film was a little slow, but after hearing the commentary, I realized that this was symbolism in contrast with the whir of the modern day. India is changing rapidly and tradition is ingrained. As the new day approaches, people will step out of tradition and find a way that is still moral and decent and true to their faith, but will fit the pace of tomorrow.
