‘DATE BHET’ (MARATHI) REVIEW | 14 July, 2023

Ameya Vinod Khopkar Entertainment and Zabawa Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.’s Date Bhet (Marathi; UA) is the story of a young lady, Anaya Pandit (Sonalee Kulkarni), who arrives in the UK from India to meet a prospective life partner, Rohan (Hemant Dhome). However, she also meets Abhijeet (Santosh Juvekar), a cabbie there, with whom she gets friendly. Why, she even starts liking him. Abhijeet also gets fond of Anaya. What happens thereafter?

Lokesh Vijay Gupte has written a story which is quite ordinary. It lacks novelty of any kind. Ashwini Shende’s screenplay is replete with predictable scenes. Even the dialogues are ordinary.

Sonalee Kulkarni does well as Anaya Pandit. Santosh Juvekar performs ably in the role of Abhijeet. Hemant Dhome acts naturally as Rohan. Mrunal Deshpande lends fine support. Mugdha Godbole makes her mark. Lokesh Gupte has his moments. Sujata Joshi is alright. Uday Tikekar makes his presence amply felt. Others are adequate.

Lokesh Vijay Gupte’s direction is so-so. Chinar-Mahesh’s music is okay. Shailesh Barve’s background music is average. Pradeep Khanvilkar’s camerawork is alright. Art direction (Jagannath D. Hatankar) is nothing to shout about. Gurjent Singh’s editing should’ve been tighter.

On the whole, Date Bhet is a flop show.

Released on 14-7-’23 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: poor.