From ‘Bawarchi’ to ‘Tarla’: How Bollywood has always had a taste for food

In Bollywood’s grand storytelling kitchen, food has rarely been just something on a plate. It’s been a symbol of love, memory, comfort, rebellion, and sometimes, even heartbreak.

Over the decades, Indian cinema has brought alive the lives of teachers, freedom fighters, and star-crossed lovers—but it has also, quietly and beautifully, told stories through food and the people who make it.Food on screen has filled more than stomachs—it’s fed emotions, evoked nostalgia, and built bridges across class, culture, and loneliness.

When a meal says what words can’t

Take 'The Lunchbox,' released in 2013, a modern classic that stirs up the senses—not just with the aromas of home-cooked food, but with the ache of isolation. Nimrat Kaur’s performance, subtle yet soul-stirring, made us feel every bite and every beat of silence between two strangers connected by a dabba.

Talking to PTI, Nimrit, talking about the film and the topic it covers, said, "People relate to it because it stimulates the two basic urges—love and food. It addressed loneliness and was such a love letter to Bombay.”It wasn’t just a meal—it was a conversation, a ritual, a whisper of hope between strangers who had never met yet deeply understood each other.

The gentle cook who healed a family: ‘Bawarchi’

Long before the dabba became cinematic gold, Bawarchi (1972) warmed hearts with its quiet message. Rajesh Khanna, in a role that traded stardom for simplicity, played Raghu—a cook who uses food to soothe wounds in a bickering family.

There were no showdowns or fancy kitchens here. Just warmth ladled into every dish, and a reminder that food shared with love can heal more than medicine ever could.

Serving up laughter: ‘Hero No. 1’

In Hero No. 1 (1997), food added flavor to comedy. Govinda, in his element, pretended to be a cook to win over a disapproving family. With his infectious charm and kitchen chaos, he reminded us that even the silliest moments can be served with sincerity—and a side of rotis.Here, food wasn’t profound, but it helped transform a hero. And sometimes, that’s enough.

‘Cheeni Kum’: A romance that simmered slowly

Cheeni Kum (2007) wasn’t your usual Bollywood romance. It was about a London chef, played by Amitabh Bachchan, who falls for Tabu’s fiery character. Their love story, layered with wit, hesitation, and plenty of spice, unfolded like a slow-cooked meal—unhurried, full of surprise, and deeply satisfying. Food here was emotion. It carried the weight of age, pride, loneliness, and unexpected connection—all delicately plated.

Across borders with a plate: ‘Ramji Londonwaley’

In Ramji Londonwaley (2005), R. Madhavan played a small-town cook stranded illegally in London. With no language skills or legal papers, his only tool for survival was his cooking.Through food, he found work, identity, and a sense of home in a foreign land. The film gently reminded us that when everything else fails, the taste of home can still speak for us.

Empty tiffins, Full hearts: ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’

Stanley Ka Dabba (2011) broke hearts with its simplicity. A schoolboy without a lunchbox, hiding his hunger from the world, enduring teasing and cruelty—until the truth emerges.The absence of food became the loudest metaphor. Through a child’s quiet dignity, the film shed light on poverty, neglect, and resilience—all without a lecture. Just a lunchbox that wasn’t there.

A recipe for empowerment: ‘Tarla’

In Tarla (2023), Huma Qureshi played the legendary Tarla Dalal—a woman who turned everyday home cooking into an empire of empowerment. This wasn’t a tale of gourmet flair. It was about finding your voice in your own kitchen.“Food is a character here,” Huma said, “but it’s more like Mom’s cooking—not fancy, but wholesome and comforting.”

The film celebrated Dalal not just as a cook, but as a pioneer who proved that home chefs are forces to reckon with.

When tiffins hide secrets: ‘Dabba Cartel’

Not all food stories are sweet. Netflix’s Dabba Cartel imagines Mumbai’s humble dabba network as a front for a powerful drug ring. Here, food becomes a disguise—hiding crime, rebellion, and power in the most unsuspecting of packages.It’s a reminder that even something as warm as a lunchbox can hold a cold, hard secret.

The kitchen is Bollywood’s most underrated stage

From comforting khichdi to criminal curries, food has never been just background noise in Hindi cinema. It’s been a character, a bridge, a battleground, and a love language.