Lunchbox// 2013//
I was trying to find a frame that would do justice to a character of this film whose only voice (not even the face) is known to us – Deshpande aunty.
Deshpande aunty is an old lady( we can interpret that from her description by Ila to Saajan) residing on the above floor. She is staying with her husband who is sick owing to which he never moves but just sleeps in one position staring at the fan. In the first frame Ila and the basket sent down by aunty with masala are both visible signifying their time spent together in talking. This window of Ila’s house is probably the only home in her home because here Deshpande aunty listens to her and always guides her. But then in the second frame you see as she goes far from the window the basket blurs and now the entire focus is on Ila who is anyways one of our main protagonist. This indicates that how apart from their window conversations we have no reason to remember the aunty. In fact we don’t even know her name rather she is called by the name of her husband. We don’t know what is she like, what are her hobbies apart from her old music collection another thing that forms a bridge between Ila and aunty.
I remember reading one of the interviews of Ritesh Batra, the director of the film, where he said the character of Deshpande aunty was right from the start in the first draft itself. Hence she is not another fleeting character but rather somebody who has an impact. I had watched this film long back with not much knowledge and interest. But a week back when I watched it again one of the things that grabbed my attention was the role of aunty in this film. It has a purpose. Purpose of representation of women who spent their entire life in being complementary to their husbands or other males in their life. Her face isn’t seen because maybe Ritesh didn’t wanted to give this voice a face. It was more of a masses thing.
Her character is one of the other reason for all the love and respect Lunchbox has received. It’s not the big things but these small moments and almost invisible ordinary people in our lives that make their stories worthy enough to tell.
cinemabug 