Sonai Films Creation’s Smart Sunbai (Marathi; UA) is a suspense murder mystery. Two groups of picnickers — one comprising people from a village, and the other consisting of city folk — celebrate the birthday of Pallavi (Prajakta Gaikwad) at a resort. Soon after the celebrations, Pallavi is found murdered. Who is the murderer?
Yogesh Shirsat’s story is routine and oft-repeated. His screenplay consists of predictable scenes, most of which fail to engage the viewers. The revelation of the suspense is quite ordinary. Yogesh Shirsat’s dialogues are routine at times and fair at others.
Sayali Deodhar acts ably as Ganga. Santosh Juvekar is alright as Raghunath. Rohan Patil does an average job as Shridhar. Prajakta Gaikwad is okay in the role of Pallavi. Bhau Kadam is unimpressive as Bandya. Snehal Shidam is so-so as Vandana. Kishori Shahane Vij makes a mark as Jana. Prajakta Hanamghar lends able support as Komal Ghorpade. Bhakti Chavan provides routine support as Vandana’s maternal aunt, Malan. Dipti Sonawane is adequate as Rutuja. Deepak Shirke (as Jagtap kaka), Usha Naik (as Jagtap mavshi), Vinamra Babal (as Jadhav Master), Mohan Joshi (as the resort manager), Anshuman Vichare (as the servant at the resort), Shivaji Doltade (as the police inspector), Shuchika Joshi, Anushka Benke, Pooja Rajput, Vidya Mehetre, Arya Sakunde, Vaishali Chaudhari, Sapna Pawar, Kanchan Chaudhari and the rest of the artistes are passable.
Shivaji Doltade’s direction is below the mark. Vijay Narayan Gavande and Sai-Piyush’s music is not quite appealing. Lyrics (by Vaibhav Deshmukh and Aditi Dravid) are okay. Rahul Thombre and Kambi Raju’s choreography is alright. Sai-Piyush’s background music is average. Krishna Naykar’s camerawork is quite nice. Mahesh Kore’s art direction is okay. B. Mahanteshwar’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Smart Sunbai is a weak fare.
Released on 21-11-’25 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity: dull. Opening: disastrous.