365Telugu.com online news, August 15th,2024: Overall, Double iSmart struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessor, iSmart Shankar. While Ram Pothineni shines in his role, the film’s lack of engaging storytelling, weak emotional beats, and underwhelming comedy make it a disappointing sequel. Sanjay Dutt’s character is a missed opportunity, and the film fails to deliver the solid entertainment it promises. Double iSmart might appeal to die-hard fans of mass action films, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark for a wider audience.
Movie Name: Double iSmart
Release Date: August 15, 2024
Starring: Ram Pothineni, Kavya Thapar, Sanjay Dutt, Getup Srinu, Ali, Sayaji Shinde
Director: Puri Jagannadh
Producers: Puri Jagannadh, Charmme Kaur
Music Director: Mani Sharma
Cinematographers: Gianni Giannelli, Shyam K. Naidu
Editor: Karthika Sreenivas R
Story:
Double iSmart, the much-anticipated sequel to iSmart Shankar, sees Ram Pothineni returning to his role as the fiery Shankar. The story kicks off with international mafia don Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt), who is desperate to avoid death after being diagnosed with a fatal brain condition, Glioma. In a bid to achieve immortality, Big Bull plans to transfer his memory to another person’s brain. The search for a suitable candidate leads them to Shankar in Hyderabad. What happens next forms the crux of this action-packed drama.
Plus Points:
Ram Pothineni delivers a power-packed performance, bringing back his iconic massy attitude and punchy dialogue delivery that made iSmart Shankar a hit. His screen presence is strong, and he carries the film with his energy and style. Kavya Thapar, though limited in screen time, adds charm to the proceedings as Ram’s love interest. Sanjay Dutt, stepping into Telugu cinema, adds a layer of gravitas to the film, even though his role could have been more impactful. The action sequences, though scattered, are executed well and keep the audience engaged.
Minus Points:
Despite a promising start, Double iSmart falters due to a weak screenplay that struggles to maintain the audience’s interest, particularly in the second half. The emotional depth that could have elevated the story is missing, leaving many characters feeling flat and underdeveloped. Jhansi’s character and her flashback scenes could have added much-needed emotional weight but end up being underwhelming.
The comedy track, especially with Ali, falls flat and feels more like a distraction than an addition to the story. The placement of songs disrupts the narrative flow, and they seem inserted just to extend the runtime rather than enhance the storytelling. Manisharma’s background score, which had the potential to uplift key moments, fails to make a significant impact.
Sanjay Dutt’s role as Big Bull, while promising on paper, is underutilized, making his Telugu debut less memorable. The character lacks depth, and the dubbing further detracts from his performance.
Technical Aspects:
Puri Jagannadh’s direction feels lackluster, missing the spark that his earlier films had. The story, though intriguing, suffers from poor execution. Editor Karthika Sreenivas R could have tightened the film by cutting down on unnecessary scenes that drag the pace, especially in the second half. The cinematography by Gianni Giannelli and Shyam K. Naidu is visually appealing, capturing the film’s vibrant action scenes well. The production values are good, but Manisharma’s score, which could have been a highlight, falls short of expectations.
365Telugu.com Rating : 2.5..