Guneet Monga, the acclaimed producer, recently reflected on the missed opportunity surrounding the film ‘The Lunchbox,’ a poignant romantic drama that captivated audiences worldwide. Starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the film tells the story of an unexpected friendship that develops through a lunchbox mix-up in Mumbai. Released in 2013, it received critical acclaim and numerous awards.
In an episode of Mid-day’s podcast series The Bombay Film Story, Guneet Monga expressed her strong belief that ‘The Lunchbox’ would have won an Oscar had it been nominated.She remarked, “The whole world pointed that out. ‘The Lunchbox’ would have won, hands down. Even if I’m making a bold statement, it would have at least been nominated. I still hear it today—in rooms I enter, people say, ‘You missed an Oscar.’”
Despite its critical success, including a BAFTA nomination in 2015 for Best Film Not in the English Language, ‘The Lunchbox’ was not selected as India’s official entry for the 86th Academy Awards. Instead, the Gujarati film ‘The Good Road’ was chosen.
Monga also shared the challenges she faced during her journey with ‘The Lunchbox,’ recalling her struggle to secure accommodation for Irrfan Khan during the Cannes Film Festival premiere. “I showed ‘The Lunchbox’ to everyone in town, and nobody wanted to buy it. We didn’t have the money to go to Cannes and do the premiere. I remember, up until the last minute, I didn’t have a room for Irrfan sir,” she said. Eventually, she managed to secure a room that had initially been reserved for actress Tilda Swinton.
Upon its release, ‘The Lunchbox’ received widespread acclaim and won several awards, including the Critics’ Week Viewers Choice Award (Grand Rail d’Or) at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Its unique narrative and emotional depth resonated with audiences globally, making it one of Khan’s most beloved films. ‘The Lunchbox’ has left an indelible mark on both Indian cinema and international audiences alike.
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