If a slum dweller in Mumbai can earn a million dollars on a TV game show, why is it not possible for an aging insurance man to find love in his lunchbox? ‘The Lunchbox’ is in limited release in the US. It was hugely popular in film loving India and there was a national scandal when it was not chosen to be the Indian film representing India at the Academy Awards. And someone should have listened to the people because ‘Good Road’ which was submitted was not even honored in the top five foreign films. Mumbai (Bombay) has 5000 “dabbawallahs” who distribute one million lunches per day using their feet, trains, buses, and scooters. Many of the lunches are packed at home so they need to be collected, taken to Mumbai by the correct dabbawallah , arrive at the office of the husband, eaten, and then returned to the wife at home for the same routine the next day !
This amazing efficient delivery system is in the world’s 5th largest city of 12.5 million souls, one of the densest cities with 21,000 people per kilometer which is twice as dense as NYC, and four times as dense as London . And don’t forget the constant chaotic mess that is traffic in Mumbai!
The lunchbox is a steel tower with several compartments with hot water in the bottom to serve if not a hot, at least a warm meal to the husband.
This is a picture from the film.
Harvard researchers were amazed at this daily process and conducted research. Their findings concluded that only one in a million lunches were ever delivered incorrectly by the dabbawallh system of Mumbai.
The “Lunchbox” is a gentle Indian commentary on the human need for connection and communication !
text from Mark Moring
Christianity Today, movie reviewer
some photos from public domain
TalesAlongTheWay 
Looks good. I have seen this delivery concept on “Top Gear” show. Amazing.
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Interesting. thanks for the information, as I have not seen that. Amazing hardly encompasses it!
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I want to see it now, Anne. Thanks.
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High praise from a fil reviewer !
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I have reviewed one Desi (sp?) love story, almost three hours of subtitles … and loved it, Ann. Bollywood is making inroads here, I thiink.
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They are long, aren’t they? In India, there is an intermission somewhere in the film….they just turn it off for 15 minutes for people to use the facilities and get popcorn. . . wonderful flavored popcorn.
Did you know that India is the world’s leading producer of film? They crank them out…quickly. CrossGates Mall in Albany at their18 screen theater often have Bollywood films. There is a huge community here as I imagine where you are.
Hollywood is getting smart and they release the blockbusters in India a few days before in the state for the 1.4 billion movie nuts there. We know that first hand from when we were there. Captain America or one of those films (Spiderman?) was out there first and not here….Indian people get very involved and shout and cheer….but are quiet during the dialogue. It is a great escape for them and very cheap…or at least for us $1.50! Did you see my post on Thursday, TV ACTION STARS. . . . ?
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I will go back to look for it, Anne.
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This is the line producer of the TV show….great guy…
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Film not fil. . . Need to slow down!.
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown and commented:
This made me feel hungry!
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I loved the main actor in The Namesake. I can’t wait to see this one.
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I know it is at the Spectrum until Wednesday, but maybe is playing nearer you . . . . .
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That actor was in Life of Pi, too. Did you see that?
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Someone should study the logistical prowess here – what insights it’ll provide to freight forwarding and courier companies.
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Amazing isn ‘t ? The postal delivery is going down hill in the states, I nominate them as first client ! (Sorry if you are from the US as I can ‘t remember all the details .).
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No worries, Anne – I’m in Singapore and our postal service is great.
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And I am thinking pretty much everything is great in Singapore! 😎 Always heard good things from there….and great shopping , too! Right?
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True – the country is turning into one great shopping mall. Even the newest airport terminal is actually a shopping mall with the terminal grafted on, as an after thought.
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Do you have penguins and skiing like in Dubai?
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Yes – and polar bears. We’re working on the pyramids, Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. We even have a mini Great Wall.
40 years ago, we had the highest man-made waterfall – I think it’s not the highest any more – Dubai beat us to it.
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Oh my goodness! Unbelievable, you should post on that! Funny thing to me is I guess they are building all those “wonders ” to draw tourists. Does it work ? I have been lucky to see all of the real places except “the great wall . ” no appeal for me! Did you know that all those wonders of the world have been replicated in Vegas in Nevada? I have no desire to go there either! Wild story. . . . .
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Great, great post. I saw a local show about this, just an incredible story. Thanks for sharing.
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I have been wanting to see this, but it hasn’t come out in Kuwait.. 😦
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Pingback: Love in a “Lunchbox” | SpicyEssence
Thank you !
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Reblogged this on SpicyEssence and commented:
This is such great story.. Love in a “Lunchbox” … I don’t watch much Bollywood movies, but I think this will be a good one. Irfan Khan is an amazing actor and I love watching his movies!
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Thank you so much. He is a terrific actor! Loved Life of Pi. . . .
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Hi Anne.
There are only 2 of us at our house and we quite often get our lunches mixed up.
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That is funny Peter! 😎
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I actually have a steamer stack just like theirs, only bigger around and taller. We use it for camping meals. Thanks for the review – now I am looking forward to seeing it.
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I don ‘t think you will regret it. Have seen Million Dollar Arm ? I did a post on that film, too !
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No, but I did see “Slumdog Millionaire” awhile back.
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That is a great one. Also is “Most Exotic Marigold Hotel”
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