Mouthwatering Movies
Food and films: when two wonderful indulgences come together in a single package, it’s double the fun. Here’s a list of ten must-watch movies for this holiday season that make for gourmet cinema.
Food is far more than just nourishment for the body. It is a marker of culture, heritage, connections, and more. It is often the stories behind cherished family dishes handed down a lineage of grandmas or regional ethnic specialties that give them their appeal. And what better way to tell such stories about food, cooking, chefs, and their place in relationships, families, and cultures than through the grand medium of motion pictures?
So, grab your chai and samosas and settle in with your favorite blankies to immerse yourself in these ten appetizing food films.
THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (2014)
The movie unfolds as an idyllic French village becomes the new home for Indian asylum seekers with a simple dream: to settle down and open a restaurant as a path to livelihood. This screen adaptation of Richard C. Morais novel explores the clash of cultures, pitting the ego of a classically trained French chef against the passion of an untrained but experienced Indian restaurateur.
[Right] The stubborn and passionate Papa Kadam (Om Puri) is delightful as the Indian asylum-seeker determined to give a taste of his cuisine to villagers in South France, where he audaciously opens Maison Mumbai, a traditional Indian restaurant showcasing vibrant flavors and spices that contrast sharply with the regional French culinary traditions. (Photo: Walt Disney Pictures)
With stellar performances from Dame Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon, viewers are drawn into a story that celebrates the nuances of a kitchen and the pride of one’s native cuisine. While it may appear to be about a tussle between French and Indian cuisine, what the film points to is the charm of the raw, organic, gut-based, “steeped in family legacy” style of cooking of Papa Kadam (Om Puri) versus the meticulous plating of French delicacies and dedication to haute cuisine of Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren).
When Madam Mallory, the proprietor of a Michelin-starred restaurant in a village in South France, challenges Hassan (Manish Dayal) to show him how he makes his omelet, the slow and deliberate step-by-step instructions, the nazaakat that goes into making even a humble Indian omelet dissolves Mallory’s apprehension about Kadam’s skills.
[Left two] Adept at cooking his native Indian cuisine, Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) has his eyes set on proving his chops at French haute cuisine. In the process, he not only melts the heart of Madam Mallory but also manages to romance Marguerite, her sous chef. (Photos: Walt Disney Pictures)
The stubborn and passionate Papa Kadam is delightful as the Indian migrant determined to give a taste of his native cuisine to villagers in South France, where he audaciously opens Maison Mumbai, a traditional Indian restaurant showcasing vibrant flavors and spices that contrast sharply with the regional French culinary traditions. The film explores cultural fusion and the transformative power of food. Shot against the lush visuals of medieval French towns and set to A.R. Rahman’s evocative score, this film is a heartwarming, flavorful journey.
(Available on Netflix)
AXONE (2019)
Framed as a comedy, Axone explores cultural identity and friendship through food. Set in New Delhi, it follows a group of young Assamese migrant friends who plan to surprise a bride-to-be with axone (“akhuni”), a traditional dish made using fermented soybeans and smoked pork.
As they try to prepare this distinctly aromatic dish, they face resistance from their landlords because of the intense smell of axone, forcing them to get creative to avoid stirring up tensions. Sourcing the axone and smoked pork from a secret vendor in a small neighborhood, and then bringing them from the vendor’s dark and stuffy premises, the friends embark on this ambitious experiment.
[Right] Set in New Delhi, Axone, the film, follows a group of young Assamese migrant friends who plan to surprise a bride-to-be with akhuni, a traditional dish made using fermented soybeans and smoked pork. (Photo: AI-generated simulation of a scene from Axone). Sayani Gupta, in a cinematic still from Axone. (Photo: Netflix)
Mundane but essential preparatory tasks like picking through mejenga or Schezwan peppers, rinsing and chopping the pork, dicing the Mizo ginger or galangal, shredding the bamboo shoots over a bubbling stew, slicing and crushing the Bhoot Jolokia and the Schezwan peppers, and then adding in various herbs are part of making this dish. Like many traditional recipes shared by word of mouth, the friends must rely on memory. Despite a visible frustration with their shortcomings, the friends rely solely on the memory of the right flavors and aromas—because the day is not about them, but about the bride-to-be.
Through a simple food dish, the film sheds light on discrimination rooted in unfamiliarity and bias against certain regional foods. The story ends on a bittersweet note and leaves one with a thought-provoking message: what may seem unusual or offensive in one culture may be a cherished tradition in another. It also encourages audiences to accept differences, as is common among friends.
(Available on Netflix)
CHEENI KUM (2007)
Can returning an overly sweet Hyderabadi Zafrani Pulao back to the kitchen spark a love story? In Cheeni Kum, it does just that. This unique romance invites viewers into the mind of a proud and temperamental chef, sparking an unconventional love story between two powerful leads with a notable age gap: Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu.
Departing from typical Bollywood portrayals, the film embraces the characters' age difference and explores how they bridge it as Buddhadev Gupta (Bachchan) grapples with his professional pride over his desire to be with Nina (Tabu). Through their banter about cooking and flavors, which becomes a metaphor for their emotional interplay, he teaches her about the discipline of crafting perfection while she introduces him to the joy of savoring imperfection. As the story unfolds, Buddhadev, used to being in control, finds himself experimenting with flavors outside his comfort zone, much like he is exploring the uncharted territory of love with Nina.
[Left] Cheeni Kum tells an unconventional love story between two powerful leads with a notable age gap— Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu—that sparks from the act of returning an overly sweet Hyderabadi Zafrani Pulao back to the kitchen.
But when Buddhdev meets the prospective father-in-law Omprakash Varma (played by Paresh Rawal), he is baffled at the contradiction: Varma lives by Gandhian principles for all things except when it comes to food. When he finds Varma unwilling to see his daughter with an older man, Buddha becomes determined to have the last word.
With music by Ilaiyaraaja and stellar performances from Rawal, Zohra Sehgal, and Swini Khara, Cheeni Kum challenges viewers to see that love, like any good dish, is a blend of acceptance and letting go.
(Available on Netflix)
ENGLISH VINGLISH (2012)
Set in New York, this heartwarming film follows Shashi Godbole, a talented middle-aged homemaker and entrepreneur whose limited English skills expose her to hurtful, racist remarks. Determined to overcome this barrier, she starts selling laddoos, just as she did back in India, to fund her conversational English classes. Her unwavering dedication to learning not only earns her new skills but also wins over the hearts of those around her—both onscreen and in the audience.
Determined to overcome the barrier of her lack of English skills, Shashi Godbole (Sridevi) starts selling laddoos, just as she did back in India, to fund her conversational English classes.
While English proficiency is at the story’s forefront, it is Shashi’s handmade laddoos that become the catalyst for her transformation. Her self-esteem is constantly eroded by her family’s casual dismissals. Her culinary skills are overlooked and reduced to the mundane by those closest to her. Shashi’s laddoos, however, are a testament to her resolve; and making and selling them offers her a sliver of independence and identity in a world that often diminishes her worth.
Sridevi shines in the lead role, with strong support from Adil Hussain, Priya Anand, and French actor Mehdi Nebbou. This internationally acclaimed, award winning film is a modern classic that beautifully reminds us that family is a source of encouragement, love, and acceptance.
(Available on Amazon Prime, ErosNow, Zee5, and AppleTV)
JULIE & JULIA (2009)
Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia, adapted from the book of the same name as well as a biography of legendary chef Julia Child, is a heartfelt journey through life’s joys and challenges as seen through the lens of food. Starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci, the film weaves together the lives of Julia Child in mid-20th century France and Julie Powell in modern-day New York.
[Left] Julie & Julia is a heartfelt journey that weaves together the lives of legendary chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) in mid-20th century France and Julie Powell (Amy Adams) in modern-day New York.
Viewers are treated to comedic moments like cooking a live lobster or joyously indulging in a freshly-made dessert with a loved one, alongside poignant scenes of Child confronting patriarchy as she pursues a career as a chef and cookbook author. Through these inviting stories, audiences are transported into the kitchens of two remarkable women, gaining a new appreciation for the passion and resilience behind culinary artistry and decadence.
(Available on Pluto TV)
THE LUNCHBOX (2013)
In The Lunchbox, Ritesh Batra’s brilliant direction offers a tender glimpse into an unexpected connection formed through food. A simple, yet mistakenly delivered, tiffin box sparks a unique bond between two strangers who never meet in person. Never has an afternoon tiffin received so much care. Its contents can evoke emotions on either side: while a full tiffin can extend hope or bring joy, an empty dabba may bring a smile, inspire confidence, or fill a heart with disappointment. In Batra’s deft story, the humble daily meal serves as a bridge between two disparate lives.
Ila, a housewife yearning for affection in her fading marriage, pours her heart into the meals she prepares for her husband. Her tiffins are filled not just with perfectly spiced curries and fragrant rice but also with her longing for connection. One day, due to a rare mix-up, her carefully packed lunch ends up on the desk of Saajan, a lonely widower nearing retirement. Saajan, jaded and withdrawn, is unexpectedly captivated by the delicious meal. This serendipitous mistake sets the stage for an unusual correspondence between the two, exchanged through handwritten notes hidden in the lunchbox.
[Right] In Ritesh Batra’s brilliantly directed The Lunchbox, a simple yet mistakenly delivered tiffin box sparks a unique bond between two strangers who never meet in person.
Through their heartfelt notes, the film invites viewers into the intimate, unspoken moments of their lives. Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur deliver outstanding performances, capturing the essence of a mature relationship—one built on care, longing, and mutual respect. The film gently nudges audiences to ponder what truly nourishes a relationship and the quiet conversations that can blossom over a shared meal but may never be shared in person.
(Available to rent or purchase on multiple streaming platforms.)
RATATOUILLE (2007)
This Pixar hit tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a young garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini, and a talking rat Remy set against the iconic backdrop of Paris beneath the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Ratatouille takes viewers behind the scenes of the bustling, high-pressure kitchen at the fictional fine-dining 
restaurant, Gusteau's, offering a glimpse into the creativity, chaos, and drama involved in perfecting the exquisite flavors for discerning critics and guests.
[Left] Ratatouille, a Pixar animation, takes viewers behind the scenes of the bustling, high-pressure kitchen at Gusteau's, a fictional fine-dining restaurant, offering a glimpse into the creativity, chaos, and drama involved in perfecting the same exquisite flavors for discerning critics and guests.
The duo's journey, guided by the mantra "Anyone Can Cook" from Gusteau's cookbook, is filled with humor and heartwarming moments. The trust-based partnership between a blindfolded Linguini and Remy’s marionettist-like guidance of Linguini’s hands over a soup, or when Remy cooks two omelets—one for himself and another for Linguini—are tender moments of an unlikely friendship. When a ratatouille, made by Remy, transports food critic Anton into his mother’s kitchen and he then devours it with childlike abandon, the joy is palpable beyond the screen. Producer Brad Lewis drew inspiration from real chefs and culinary experiences, giving audiences a taste of the rags-to-riches magic. Ratatouille is a must-watch for food lovers and aspiring storytellers of all ages.
(Available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms.)
SHARMAJI NAMKEEN (2022)
Set in West Delhi, Rishi Kapoor’s final film is a heartwarming tale of Sharma Ji (played by Kapoor), a spirited white-collar worker who unexpectedly finds himself forced into early retirement. After struggling to find another job, Sharma Ji takes up a friend’s suggestion to cook for a local kitty party. Discovering newfound joy and success in it, but afraid of embarrassing them, he keeps it a secret from his two adult sons—each dealing with his own hidden struggle. As these secrets unravel, tensions flare but unexpected allies come to the rescue.
[Left]Sharmaji (Rishi Kapoor) is a spirited-but-bored retired white-collar worker who finds zest in life by starting a catering business from his home kitchen in Sharmaji Namkeen.[ Inset] Sharmaji finds his passion that has him laboring over a dahi-bhalla chaat for hours, dressing it with pomegranate seeds.
The film explores a familiar emotion—seeking approval, especially when trying to learn a new skill. From laboring over a dahi-bhalla chaat for hours and dressing it with pomegranate seeds, or fussing over heart-shaped cutlets, or hoping to remedy an oversalted dish—the film chronicles all the challenges of experimenting with a new career. In the end, it speaks a universal truth: everyone just wants to be appreciated.
Following Kapoor’s untimely passing during production, Paresh Rawal stepped in to complete the role, delivering a touching tribute to the beloved actor. The film also stars Juhi Chawla in a supporting role.
(Available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms.)
TARLA (2023)
This biopic of Tarla Dalal provides a heartfelt glimpse into the life of an iconic culinary figure whose recipes and wisdom became staples in countless Indian homes. Huma Qureshi plays Dalal, who began as simple cooking classes to help young women with matrimonial skills and 
quickly created a culinary empire. Her mischievousness over her own matrimonial prospects, her anxiety over the shape of a roti or teaching her first cooking class, her confidence in writing her first cookbook, or her frustration at finding that a restaurant had plagiarized her recipes, all offer insight into Dalal’s down-to-earth nature and tenacity in a male-dominated profession.
[Top right] Tarla, a biopic of Tarla Dalal, provides a heartfelt glimpse into the life of an iconic culinary figure whose recipes and wisdom became staples in countless Indian homes.
[Bottom] Tarla’s anxiety over teaching her first cooking class, her confidence at writing her first cookbook, or her frustration at finding that a restaurant had plagiarized her recipes, all offer insight into Dalal’s down-to-earth nature and tenacity in a male-dominated profession.
While the film received mixed reviews, it remains a tribute to Dalal’s resilience and her unwavering defiance of societal norms. Breaking through patriarchal expectations, this desi Martha Stewart carved out a path for herself, empowering a generation with her approachable cooking techniques and fail-proof recipes.
(Available on Zee5)
TASTE OF THINGS, 2023
(“La Passion de Dodin Bouffant” or “The Passion of Dodin Bouffant”)
This French-language period film tells a tender love story between Dodin Bouffant, a landlord and food enthusiast, and his cook, Eugénie. Their shared passion for food and for each other forms the heart of the narrative. The film opens in a warmly-lit country kitchen, where Bouffant (played by Benoît Magimel) and Eugénie (played by Juliette Binoche) immerse themselves in the intricate dance of a busy kitchen—cooking to the rhythm of clinking utensils and sizzling pans. For the first 30 minutes, there is no dialogue, yet the scenes captivate, brought to life through close-ups of steam rising from a pot, the sizzle of fat, and unspoken glances between the characters. From meal to meal, the story draws audiences into the wonderous world of cooking for the love of flavor.
Taste of Things, the French-language period film tells a tender love story between Dodin Bouffant, a landlord and food enthusiast, and his cook, Eugénie.
Set in 1889, the film explores Bouffant and Eugénie’s partnership both in the kitchen and in life, with exquisite performances that highlight the delicate, nuanced direction of Vietnamese-French writer-director Tràn Anh Hùng. His mastery in creating a visually and emotionally rich portrayal of love and food is evident throughout. The screenplay was inspired by characters from a 1924 novel, The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by Swiss author Marcel Rouff. While subtitles provide context and detail, the universal language of food and its emotions transcend words.
(Available to rent on premium streaming platforms.)
Nandita Godbole writes about food, lifestyle, wellness, and more. Masaleydaar: Classic Indian Spice Blends is her most recent book.
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