Chatni (Gujarati: ચટણી) is a 2026 Indian Gujarati-language family drama film directed by Saandeep Patel and starring Malhar Thakar, Puja Joshi and Prashant Barot. The film follows a young engineer who leaves a secure career to continue his family's long-running farsan business and attempts to turn its traditional chutney recipe into a contemporary brand.
Plot
The film centres on Deval, a young engineer who decides to leave a stable career and take forward his family's 115-year-old farsan tradition. He seeks to transform the family's traditional chutney recipe into a modern brand, leading to conflict between his ambitions and the expectations of the older generation.
The story also incorporates a romantic relationship between Deval and Kajal alongside the central conflict involving family, tradition and business ambition.
Cast
Malhar Thakar as Deval Puja Joshi as Kajal Prashant Barot as Kalu Kaka Hetal Mody as Jaanki Smit Joshi as Lalo
Music
The romantic song "Pankhida" was released ahead of the film's theatrical release. The song was sung by Jigardan Gadhavi, with music composed by Rahul Munjariya and lyrics written by Milind Gadhavi. Ahmedabad Mirror reported that the song features Malhar Thakar and Puja Joshi and described it as a preview of the romantic storyline between their characters. The film's producers also identified "Pankhida" as a song intended to give audiences a glimpse of the film's romantic and emotional elements.
Production
Chatni was directed by Saandeep Patel and written by Harsh Shodhan and Saandeep Patel. The film was produced by Eforu Entertainment and Buddhipriyay Pictures LLP. Malhar Thakar and Puja Joshi were involved as co-producers through Buddhipriyay Pictures LLP.
The film was announced as the first production under Buddhipriyay Pictures LLP, the production company established by Thakar and Joshi. The announcement also identified Eforu Entertainment as a production partner and Saandeep Patel as the director.
According to Ahmedabad Mirror, Thakar plays Deval, a young man seeking to expand his family's traditional food business, while Joshi plays Kajal, a character involved throughout his journey rather than serving only as a romantic interest.
Chatni as the first film to bring married actors Malhar Thakar and Puja Joshi together on screen and their first project as co-producers.
Release
Chatni was released theatrically in India on 18 September 2026 in the Gujarati language.
The film was included among the Gujarati theatrical releases for the week of 18 September 2026 by Variety India.
Chatni was released theatrically in India on 18 September 2026 in the Gujarati language. The Times of India’s eTimes listing identifies Saandeep Patel as the director and lists Puja Joshi, Malhar Thakar, Prashant Barot and Smit Joshi among the principal cast. The listing categorises the film as a Gujarati drama, family and romance film and gives its runtime as 2 hours and 2 minutes.
Reception
VTV Gujarati's review described the film's central theme as its strongest aspect, highlighting its depiction of a Gujarati family, a farsan business and the attempt to modernise a longstanding family tradition..
Navjeevan Express described Chatni as a Gujarati family saga centred on tradition, transformation and entrepreneurial ambition.
Ahmedabad Mirror published an interview with Thakar and Joshi following the film's release, discussing the film's story, their characters, their involvement as co-producers and their views on contemporary Gujarati cinema.
References
External links
Chatni at BookMyShow