Film

Chopsticks

Name: Chopsticks
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2019
Cast: Mithila Palkar, Abhay Deol, Vijay Raaz, Benafsha Soonawalla, Achint Kaur

Drama

A Mumbai-set comedy about a brilliant but anxious woman who hires a charming drifter to help her recover a stolen car. It's a light, character-driven film that finds humour and warmth in urban misfits, small cons, and the unlikely friendships that bloom from chaos. For anyone who enjoys ensemble comedies with heart.

TMDb rating

3.1

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you like quiet, character-led comedy-dramas where the humour comes from awkward silences and small human gestures, and where a loose, wandering road story gradually opens someone up.

Skip it if you want brisk plotting or a steady run of jokes; this one lingers, lets scenes breathe, and can feel slow when its emotional beats arrive gently rather than with a push.

What it asks of you: Around a hundred minutes at an unhurried pace, with patience for stillness and a tone that stays mostly gentle, asking you to sit with its quieter moments rather than chase its plot.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Khosla Ka Ghosla!2006

A sharply written Hindi comedy about ordinary people outsmarting a property developer. Like Chopsticks, it finds genuine humour in Delhi's middle-class life and features a motley crew pulling together for one big plan.

But The humour is very tied to Indian urban culture and references; if that world feels distant, the comedy won't land as hard.

Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na2008

A bubbly Delhi-set rom-com about two neighbours who don't realise they're perfect for each other. It shares Chopsticks' warmth, lightness, and affection for its characters, even when they're being foolish.

But The romance is fairly conventional under the charm, and it can feel slight if you're looking for narrative weight.

Badhaai Ho2018

A comedy about a joint family dealing with an awkward announcement. It has the same warmth and specificity of observation as Chopsticks—finding comedy in real relationships rather than broad gags.

But Revolves around a concept (parents' pregnancy) that some find more cringey than funny, and the humour is softer than laugh-out-loud.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Chopsticks

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople2016

Like Chopsticks, it's centred on an odd-couple partnership that finds genuine warmth beneath the con/scheme. Both are about learning to trust someone you initially misjudged.

A New Zealand buddy comedy about a grumpy old man and a foster kid on the run in the bush. It's a road movie about unlikely friendship, scrappy survival, and finding family in the most unexpected places.

But It's a New Zealand film with a very particular sensibility; the humour is dry and character-driven, so if you want plot momentum, you'll be frustrated.

Fukrey2013

Three lovable Delhi small-timers get tangled up with gangsters and con artists. It's scrappy, energetic, and finds its heart in the friendship between bumbling characters—very much in Chopsticks' spirit.

But The comedy is broader and relies on crude humour; it's less refined than Chopsticks' gentler tone.

Rang De Basanti2006

A group of friends in Delhi navigate friendship, corruption, and activism. The ensemble dynamic and character chemistry mirror what makes Chopsticks work, and the film balances comedy with genuine emotional stakes.

But It shifts into serious territory in the second half; if you're only after light comedy, the tonal shift may feel jarring.

Dil Chahta Hai2001

Three friends' banter and life journeys in Mumbai and Goa. The ensemble warmth, witty dialogue, and affection for its characters' small flaws are very much what Chopsticks does—character-first comedy.

But Quite dated now in style and pacing; it moves slowly by modern standards and some romantic plotting feels thin.

Pyaar Ka Punchnama2011

A Delhi comedy about three friends and their romantic entanglements, told with sharp observation and natural chemistry. The snappy banter and focus on friendship echoes Chopsticks' approach to comedy.

But The gender politics are dated and somewhat crass by today's standards; the famous monologue about women has aged poorly.

Happy Bhag Jayegi2016

A runaway bride's mishap leads to a cross-border adventure involving misfits and small crimes. It's similarly absurdist and affectionate toward its chaotic characters and their bumbling schemes.

But The plot is very thin and the humour relies heavily on slapstick; it's less character-driven than Chopsticks.

Shaandaar2015

A wedding planner in Mumbai encounters chaos and self-discovery. It has moments of the same whimsical, character-focused comedy that Chopsticks enjoys, with an emphasis on charm over structure.

But Deeply uneven in tone and execution, with long stretches where the comedy doesn't quite land; feels like it's searching for what it wants to be.

The Souvenir2019

Both films, released the same year, are about insecure people finding transformation through an unexpected relationship. Souvenir mirrors Chopsticks' emotional core but strips away comedy and plot for raw, understated intimacy.

A crystalline, tender British film about a theatre director processing grief through memory and art. It's formally inventive—shot like a staged piece—and explores human connection through performance and fragility.

But It's quiet, slow, and melancholic; there's barely any plot. If you want momentum or brightness, this will feel like watching someone else's private moment.