Movie Name : Double iSmart
Release Date : August 15, 2024
Cast : Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt, Kavya Thapar, Bani J, Ali, Getup Sreenu, Sayaji Shinde, Makrand Deshpande, Pragati, Jhansi, Temper Vamsi etc.
Director : Puri Jagannadh
Music Director : Mani Sharma
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.5/5
Story:
Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) is a wealthy and influential businessman who has envisioned a life of luxury for himself over the next century. His plans are shattered when he is diagnosed with a brain tumor and told he has only a few months to live. To extend his life, the doctor proposes a groundbreaking procedure: transferring his brain and memories to another individual. Their search for the ideal recipient brings them to Shankar (Ram Pothineni) in Hyderabad. The memory transfer sets off a thrilling and suspenseful sequence of events, offering a gripping experience best enjoyed on the big screen.
Review :
Ram Pothineni returns as iSmart Shankar, delivering another impressive performance in the sequel. His commanding presence and intense dialogue delivery continue to captivate audiences.
Kavya Thapar appears as Ram’s love interest, and their on-screen chemistry is pleasant. Sanjay Dutt takes on the role of a mafia boss, adding some depth to the film, although his performance is rather average.The supporting cast delivers performances that are satisfactory, and the action scenes are effectively staged in several parts.
While the foundational plot justifies the sequel, Puri Jagannadh and his team seem disengaged from creating an engaging narrative. The screenplay falls short of being gripping, especially in the second half, leading to a challenge in maintaining audience interest.
The emotional aspects lack depth, causing them to fall flat. Many characters appear to be mere fillers, and Jhansi’s role could have been more substantial, with her flashback scenes potentially adding some emotional impact. Pragathi’s exaggerated performance does little to enhance the film.
The humor misses the mark, as Ali’s character and his comedic attemptsat humor coming across as more annoying than entertaining. Moreover, the songs feel out of place and disrupt the coherence of the story.
Manisharma’s signature intense background score, which could have enhanced the film, is notably absent in this sequel. The confrontations with Sanjay Dutt fall flat, making his Telugu debut underwhelming. His character lacks proper development, and the dubbing feels out of place.
Puri Jagannadh needs to take time to develop a script that can capture the classic, massy style that many fans long for. Sadly, this film falls short, failing to serve him well. While the storyline has potential, the execution fails to deliver.
Raj Thota’s cinematography meets expectations, and the production values are solid. However, Manisharma’s contributions could have been stronger to lift the movie in key moments.
In summary, Double iSmart doesn’t live up to the buzz generated by its predecessor, iSmart Shankar. While Ram Pothineni delivers a solid performance, his abilities are underused. The storyline has potential but is poorly executed, especially with a sluggish second half. Kavya Thapar’s role is minimal, Ali’s comedic attempts miss the mark, and Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of the antagonist feels cliched.