Love and food… Everyone has a story connecting these two fundamental needs and one such story is The Lunchbox, says actor Nimrat Kaur on why the film continues to stay relevant even after a decade.
The movie, directed by Ritesh Batra and also starring Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, had its world premiere at International Critics’ Week at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. It was released in theatres on September 20, 2013.
Kaur said the film resonates with the audience even today because of its relatable themes. “I feel people relate to it (The Lunchbox) because it stimulates the two basic urges of a human being, which is love and food. All of us have some stories, some connection to both of these sentiments. And, it also addressed loneliness.
“It also addressed unrequited wishes, and it was such a love letter to Bombay. So it’s a gift that’s going to keep giving and I’m very, very grateful for it. For me, it’s a turning point. It’s a milestone in life. It’s given me everything I am,” Kaur told PTI.
The Lunchbox is a tender epistolary romance which revolves around Ila, a neglected young homemaker (Kaur) who forms a bond with a stranger through a delicious change of fate when the lunchbox intended for her husband gets delivered to Saajan (Irrfan), a reclusive widower, who is about to retire from his accountancy job and has to train his replacement (Siddqui).
Most Read 1Chandrayaan-3 mission: Dawn breaks on Moon, all eyes on lander, rover to wake up 2As Indo-Canadian relations sour, anxiety grips Indian students, residents who wish to settle in Canada 3Karan Johar says Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not call him after Rocky Aur Rani: ‘He’s never called me but…’ 4Gadar 2 box office collection day 40: Hit by Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan onslaught, Sunny Deol movie ends BO run with Rs 45 lakh earning 5Shubh’s tour in India cancelled: Why is the Canada-based singer facing the music?
Kaur, who was a relatively newer face in the industry back then, said every film has its journey and even director Batra and co-star Irrfan didn’t visualise what a phenomenon The Lunchbox would go on to become. “Every project has its destiny, which no one can foresee. I believe The Lunchbox was genuinely one of those projects that no one would have expected (it to be) the kind of a rage it became.
“No one had expected that, including Irrfan, Ritesh or anyone. I was just a new face. I was just picked up for the project because they were looking for a person who didn’t carry the baggage of other jobs, a lot of exposure on screen,” Kaur added.
Also ReadJawan box office collection day 13: Shah Rukh Khan film to pass Rs 900 cr…Karan Johar says Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not call him after Rocky Aur R…Gadar 2 box office collection day 40: Hit by Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan onsla…Karan Johar says ex-lover who inspired Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is still ‘very …
Following The Lunchbox, the actor went on to star in the acclaimed American TV series Homeland. She currently stars in School of Lies, a series currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Click for more updates and latest Bollywood news along with Entertainment updates. Also get latest news and top headlines from India and around the world at The Indian Express.