Film: Double iSmart
Directed by: Puri Jagannadh
Written by: Puri Jagannadh

Cast: Ram Pothineni, Kavya Thapar, Sanjay Dutt, Ali and others

Produced by: Puri Jagannadh, Charmy Kaur

Cinematography: Gianni Giannelli, Shyam K. Naidu

Edited by: Karthika Srinivas
Music by: Mani Sharma

Banner: Puri Connects
Release Date: August 15, 2024

iQlik Movies Rating: 2/5

Double iSmart is the new film directed by Puri Jagannadh and is a sequel to iSmart Shankar. Starring Ram in the lead role, the film was released today. Check out the film's review here.

Story:
The film introduces Sanjay Dutt as the "Big Bull," a powerful multi-millionaire diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. In a desperate bid to extend his life, he undergoes a brain transplant, transferring his memories to another person via a chip. The core plot revolves around what happens when these memories are transferred to Shankar (Ram Pothineni), leading to a chaotic series of events. What happens next, forms the film's plot.

Performances:
Ram Pothineni returns to his energetic best as Shankar. His performance is the highlight of the film, bringing the same intensity and flair that made his role in the original film memorable. Ram's dance moves, dialogue delivery, and overall body language are spot-on. Kavya Thapar delivers a decent performance but struggles with a character that doesn't offer much depth. Her physical presence is a bit imposing, and she fails to create a mark like the heroines did in the first part. Sanjay Dutt adds a level of intrigue to the cast, with his strong physique and commanding screen presence. However, the poor dubbing detracts from his performance. Ali, Sayaji Shinde, Makrand Deshpande, Uttej, and Pragati are okay. Ali's comedy starts strong but becomes repetitive and irritating.

Technical Aspects:
Mani Sharma, who was a major asset in the first film, returns for the sequel. However, the songs in Double iSmart lack the impact of those in the original. The background score is decent. The visuals fail to bring anything new to the table. The overall cinematography lacks freshness. The editing could have been tighter, especially in the second half, where the film feels unnecessarily stretched. Puri Jagannadh misses the mark with this sequel, delivering a film that is over-the-top and tiring rather than engaging and entertaining.

Review:
The film kicks off with a promising premise, focusing on the mother-son sentiment and quickly introducing Sanjay Dutt's Big Bull character. However, the lack of Puri Jagannadh's signature punch in the writing is evident. The first half drags with an over-the-top love track between Shankar and Jannat, which lacks freshness and creativity. The concept of memory transfer, introduced at the interval, sets up expectations for an exciting second half. Unfortunately, the film fails to deliver on this promise. The film's emotional moments, particularly those involving Pragati's character fail to resonate with the audience. The climax, which should have been the film's high point, falls flat due to predictable plot twists and a lack of innovation. Double iSmart is a high-energy film that relies heavily on Ram Pothineni's charisma and performance. However, the film suffers from weak writing, lackluster drama, and a failure to fully explore its intriguing premise.

Plus Points:
Ram's Energy
BGM
Few Scenes

Minus Points:
Screenplay
Writing
Pace
Comedy

Final Verdict: Double iSmart is a forgettable experience.