Film: A Date
Producer: Weekend Shorts Studio
Director: Vimal Raj N
Starring: Sujanith Shetty and Ashwini Shenoy
The story of two youths of the opposite sex, with different mindsets, tastes and thoughts coming together has been told in many films. This week’s release ‘A Date’ is also a journey that unfolds over a single day in Bengaluru between a Kannada techie and a girl from Delhi.
The film starts with Karthik (Sujanith) and Monisha (Ashwini) going on a date. Karthik is a Kannada speaking guy who loves travelling and Monisha is a Delhi girl who knows Kannada because her mother also hails from Karnataka. Monisha unlike Karthik, prefers to stay alone and stay indoors. They both work in a corporate company and end up as friends. Karthik notices there is something wrong with Monica. So, he takes her on a date on a Sunday. The film starts at 5.30 in the morning and ends at midnight. The film revolves around what happens when these two people spend a day dating in Bengaluru.
On the surface, the story may seem to be just that simple. ‘A Date’ is an attempt to capture the complexities of modern-day relationships. In the present era, relationships have acquired different names. The Gen Z world, in particular, has given new definitions to relationships. ‘A Date’ is an attempt to find a new meaning for love in this backdrop.
The film revolves around only three characters and though there are only two prominent characters, Bengaluru also plays an important character, with the director taking the audience through different corners of the city from morning to night. The film starts in Electronic City and moves on to K R Market, Jayanagar, Basavanagudi, Malleshwaram, Vidhana Soudha, Sankey Tank, M G Road and other places.
The director along with showcasing the city gradually delving deeper into the lives of Karthik and Monisha while introducing unexpected turns. The narrative moves at a leisurely pace, with every detail being presented patiently. The story flows effortlessly, allowing the audience to engage with the characters’ emotions and conversations.
Sujanith Shetty and Ashwini Shenoy dominate the film throughout, essentially carrying it between the two of them. Ashwini Shenoy, in particular, delivers a natural performance as a girl from North India. She succeeds in conveying the anguish of being caught in the confusion of love. Sujanith, too, brings Karthik’s character convincingly to life.
The background score and songs by Moksha Beats give the film a different flavour. Vadde Devender Reddy’s cinematography is another highlight of the film. He has captured Bengaluru’s roads and neighbourhoods in a natural and beautiful manner. Along with the story, screenplay and dialogues, Vimal Raj has also handled the editing. The film feels slightly slow in the second half, but it builds curiosity as it approaches the climax. The film could have been trimmed a little to make it a tight watch. The way the heroine’s emotional turmoil and struggles in love have been portrayed is touching and relatable.
‘A Date’ is a film which appeals to audiences who enjoy unconventional styles of storytelling, particularly modern romantic dramas.
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