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The lunchbox (2013)

Low-Budget Success

The Lunchbox

Romance

|

2013

|

India

A $1M Indian romance that delivered heart, humanity, and $15M worldwide.

Production Facts

Director:

Ritesh Batra

Starring:

Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Distribution:

Sony Pictures Classics / UTV Motion Pictures

Platform:

Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Budget:

$1,000,000

Gross:

$15,000,000

ROI:

15×

Key Lesson:

You don’t need big stars or gear — you need tension, timing, and a story people talk about. Peli shot this entirely in his home with a consumer camcorder and built terror from atmosphere. The film’s viral word-of-mouth campaign redefined how indie horror could reach audiences.

Legacy:

Spawned a billion-dollar franchise, revived found-footage horror, and proved that creative storytelling can outperform CGI-heavy blockbusters. A landmark example for filmmakers on how to leverage simplicity and authenticity into massive profit.

IMDB:

/ 10

📊

+

Audience Ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did The Lunchbox cost to make?

The film was produced for about $1 million and shot on location in Mumbai.

How much money did The Lunchbox earn?

It grossed roughly $15 million worldwide, becoming one of India’s most internationally acclaimed indie films.

Why is The Lunchbox important for indie filmmakers?

It proved that simple, human stories—told with honesty—can reach global audiences without big budgets or stars.

Where can I watch The Lunchbox?

It’s available on Netflix, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.