Double iSmart Review – Social News XYZ

Director: Puri Jagannadh

Starring: Ram Pothineni, Kavya Thapar, Sanjay Dutt, Getup Srinu, Ali, Sayaji Shinde

Rating: 2

“Double iSmart” attempts to take the high-octane excitement of its predecessor iSmart Shankar and pump it up with a new sci-fi twist. But what you get is less of a thrilling sequel and more of a random hodgepodge of missed opportunities.

The plot begins with the menacing Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) confronted with a grim diagnosis of Glioma. Enter a mad scientist who proposes to transfer Big Bull’s memories to another person for immortality. Cue Shankar (Ram Pothineni), who gets dragged into this wild experiment. The premise promises a gripping story, but unfortunately the execution of the film leaves much to be desired.

Ram Pothineni returns as iSmart Shankar, with a performance full of his trademark mass appeal and intense dialogue delivery. He is the only highlight of the film, reminding us why he is a star. However, this time his efforts are overshadowed by a mediocre screenplay and uninspired direction.

Kavya Thapar plays his love interest, and while their chemistry is decent, it doesn’t exactly create fireworks. Sanjay Dutt’s performance as the mafia boss feels underwhelming: his portrayal is more of a routine villain than a menacing mafia boss. The supporting cast, including Getup Srinu and Ali, do their best but struggle with a script that doesn’t give them much to work with.

Puri Jagannadh’s direction is a disappointment. The film’s screenplay is weak, especially in the second half, where the plot drags and the story loses momentum. The emotional beats that are meant to add depth are poorly executed, making the characters feel flat and underdeveloped. Jhansi’s role, which could have added emotional weight, is particularly disappointing, and Pragathi’s over-the-top performance is more annoying than engaging.

The comedy, a staple of Puri Jagannadh’s films, falls flat. Ali’s attempts at humor come across as more annoying than funny, and the songs feel like forced interruptions rather than enhancing the narrative. Manisharma’s usually impressive background score fails to energize the film, with the music being out of sync with the action on screen.

The face-off scenes between Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt, which should have been the highlight of the film, are poorly executed. Sanjay Dutt’s Telugu debut could have been memorable, but it is marred by poor characterisation and awkward dubbing.

Editor Junaid Siddiqui could have tightened up the film by cutting unnecessary scenes, especially in the sluggish second half. Raj Thota’s cinematography is serviceable and the production values ​​are decent, but they can’t make up for the film’s many flaws.

In summary, Double iSmart struggles to match the thrills of iSmart Shankar. Despite Ram Pothineni’s valiant attempts, the film falters due to a weak script, uninspired direction and mediocre performances from the rest of the cast. If you’re hoping for a solid sequel full of suspense and laughter, you’d better watch elsewhere.