Box of Surprises

The Lunchbox has recently been nominated in the foreign films category for BAFTA 2015.

Irrfan Khan in a still from The Lunchbox.

Just when one assumed that The Lunchbox, directed by Ritesh Batra, has reached the last leg of its journey, came the news of its nomination in the foreign films category of British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) 2015. To know whether the film lifts the trophy — with the enviable cast of Irrfan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nimrat Kaur (picture below) — one has to wait till Sunday night.

Batra is happy to be nominated along with some of the best films of the world — Ida, Leviathan, Trash and Two Days, and One Night. “It’s an honour to be pitted against these films by filmmakers I love,” he says. Though The Lunchbox has already become one of the top foreign language films worldwide, the nomination might boost its viewership further.

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“If you want Indian films to travel, you have to figure out how to access international platforms, such as the Oscars and BAFTA as well as film festivals in Cannes and Berlin,” says Batra. As India’s Oscar entry for the year 2013, The Good Road was chosen over The Lunchbox by a jury constituted by the Film Federation of India. This snowballed into a controversy when Batra and producer Anurag Kashyap questioned the selection process for not being “transparent”. At the National Film Awards 2013, too, The Lunchbox drew a blank.

To ensure that the best Indian films are sent to the Oscars, Batra suggests there be a process and the people on the selection panel be given a criteria to make their choice. “Putting a bunch of people together in a room and giving them a vague criterion like ‘the Indianness of the film’ does not help,” he says. Batra, who is rewriting and revising his next film, Photograph, wants to strike a deal with his next producer not to apply for awards. “Awards do not matter when it comes to connecting with viewers,” says Batra.

Alaka Sahani

Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More

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