Double iSmart Review: Ram Pothineni and Puri Jagannadh’s Sequel Falls Flat

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/15th August 2024

The highly anticipated sequel, Double iSmart, directed by Puri Jagannadh and starring Ram Pothineni, fails to live up to expectations, leaving audiences disappointed. Despite the potential of continuing a popular franchise, the film struggles with an uninspired plot and problematic humor, making for a tiresome viewing experience.

In Double iSmart, the character of Shankar, portrayed by Pothineni, returns to his life of crime after the events of the first film, iSmart Shankar (2019). Having previously assisted the CBI, Shankar now finds himself back in the world of looting and harassing women, including a new character, Jannat, played by Kavya Thapar. The antagonist, Big Bull, played by Sanjay Dutt, is a typical gangster involved in smuggling and drug trafficking. The plot takes a bizarre turn when Big Bull, facing a crisis, decides to transfer his memories into another person to achieve immortality. A scientist, Thomas, suggests using Shankar for this experiment due to his previous experiences.

Unfortunately, the narrative of Double iSmart seems recycled and uninspired. It appears as though the film attempts to replicate the success of its predecessor but falls short by merely rehashing old ideas. Shankar’s character, once abrasive and intense, is now toned down, and his interactions with Jannat are less aggressive compared to the first film. This shift may be seen as progress, but it only highlights the film’s lack of innovation.

One of the film’s major flaws is its offensive and poorly executed humor. A significant portion of the film revolves around Boka, a tribal character portrayed in a highly derogatory manner. His antics, including crude behavior and offensive stereotypes, are neither funny nor relevant to the story. Instead of contributing to the plot, these scenes serve only to irritate viewers and detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the mistreatment of female characters for comedic effect exacerbates the film’s problematic portrayal of women.

The disjointed nature of Double iSmart raises questions about its continuity with the original film. There is no reference to characters or plot points from the first installment, such as Arun or Dr. Sarah, creating a sense of disconnection. The film introduces new elements, including a backstory involving Shankar’s mother, Pochamma, but fails to integrate them effectively into the existing narrative.

The film also suffers from unintentionally funny moments. Attempts at creating emotional impact with Mani Sharma’s music fall flat, and some dialogues are so poorly written that they become comedic. Scenes meant to evoke fear or empathy instead elicit laughter, further undermining the film’s credibility.

In summary, Double iSmart lacks the charm and coherence of its predecessor. The film’s failure to build on the success of iSmart Shankar, combined with its offensive humor and weak plot, makes it a disappointing sequel. Director Puri Jagannadh’s attempt to recreate the magic of the first film results in a lazy and contrived narrative that does not resonate with audiences. As the film reaches its climax, the frustration expressed by a character reflects the sentiment of many viewers: an exasperation with a film that could have been so much more.