'The Lunchbox' liked because it is India-specific: Ritesh Batra

"The Lunchbox", Ritesh Batra's feature directorial debut, has been appreciated at several international festivals including Toronto and Cannes. Batra believes the movie been liked by international audience as it is specific to India.

The movie, which will release Friday in India, stars Irrfan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Set in Mumbai, "The Lunchbox" revolves around a house wife and soon-to-retire office worker. They begin to communicate with each other through letters sent via the lunchbox.

"The film has been liked so much because it is very local and India-specific and honest to the details about India. It's so local that's why it's universal," Batra, who hopes the movie does well in India too, told reporters here.

It has been presented by filmmaker Karan Johar and co-produced by Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga, among others.

Batra has not only shot in different parts of Mumbai for "The Lunchbox", but also for his next film "Photograph". And he doesn't mind people associating the city with him.

"I grew up there. If Mumbai is associated with me as a filmmaker, it would just be my pleasure and honour... I love the city. It's my home. When it's part of your home, you like the best," he said.