21mu Tiffin trailer: Niilam Paanchal stands out as a home cook who wishes to make a difference

Vijaygiri Bava’s 21mu Tiffin (21st Tiffin) takes us on the lonely journey of a housewife who has to quarrel with her family to continue to run a tiffin service from her home.

Niilam Paanchal plays the woman who is not named but is known, instead, as a wife, mother and daughter.

She has no individuality until a young man (Raunaq Kamdar) insists that he become the 21st customer of her tiffin service. He enjoys her cooking and compliments her, much to the discomfort of her daughter Neetu (Netrie), who is also friendly with him. Neetu doesn’t see why her mother has to slave away in the kitchen for others.

As she spends more time with the young man, the home cook finally sees a change in herself and finds someone who actually appreciates her and the work she does.

Bava has based the feature on a short story of the same name by Sahitya Akademi award-winning author Raam Mori from his book, Mahotu.

Paanchal is quiet and understated as the long-suffering homemaker who is ignored by all. The National award-winning actress brings nuance to her role. Moreover, the relationship between the mother and daughter looks and feels realistic.

IFFI 2021: 21st Tiffin depicts all women who have lost their identity, says filmmaker Vijaygiri Bava

The Gujarati-language feature has travelled to many festivals, including the recently concluded International Film Festival of India in Goa last week.

21mu Tiffin is due to be released in theatres on 10 December. Watch the trailer below and let us know if you are keen to see the film.