I first saw this film last September, as you can read here. Correction: I saw two-thirds of this film. The projector broke down shortly before the movie’s end. Director Ritesh Batra entertained us for what seemed like forever while the TIFF tech folks went at it. This was no easy feat as half the audience members implored Batra to tell the ending while the other half said, “please don’t!” He refused but brought up the film’s charming star, Irrfan Khan, to help keep us at bay. (Eventually, another screening was scheduled, and we could see the film as a delicious whole.)
That moment at TIFF was a good omen for a big-screen debut. If the film were a bore, the audience would flee. Tight schedules are a part of the festival, and no one needs to stick around for niceties. But this first-time director achieved enough tension to enthrall us with a charming tale of an ancient tradition in Mumbai. Batra saw a 60 Minutes documentary on the famous “dabbawalas,” who deliver over 5000 hot lunches daily from home cooks to office workers. He then conjured up a letter delivered to the wrong address. The result is a love story with just the right pinch of comedy to lighten the tone. The world’s best directors often miss balance. Batra achieves this with his first film. I will be watching what he does next.
A note if you plan to go: Eat first, or book a table for a meal afterward at your favourite Indian restaurant. If not, don’t blame me if you chew on your hand.
