His role in the drama
Andhalyanchi Shala ("The Blinds' School", 1933) won him rave reviews, subsequently he became a star, and also joined the
Prabhat Film Company. After the advent of talkies, he tried his hand at that medium as well, though live theatre remained his chief love. His acting in the
Marathi film
Kunku (1937) set a standard which has rarely been approached since on the silver screen. He followed it with another sterling performance in Prabhat Film Company's
Shejari (1941). Later he performed character roles in films made in Mumbai, where he lived. He also acted in
V. Shantaram's
Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946),
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955),
Navrang (1959) and
Geet Gaya Patharon Ne (1964). Keshavrao directed four films,
Kisise Na Kehna (1942),
Andhon Ki Duniya (1947), and
Maali or
Mali in Hindi (1944) and its Marathi version
Bhakticha Mala (1944).
Maali and
Bhakticha Mala (1944) were Date's the second and third of his directorial ventures, and were produced by
V. Shantaram under his new banner
Rajkamal Kalamandir. ==Filmography==