Double iSmart Review

An international mafia don Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) murders young Shankar's (Ram Pothineni) mother, Pochamma (Jhansi), in cold blood. Shankar's life is forever scarred, and he vows revenge. Fast forward several years, and Shankar has grown into a hardened rowdy.

Meanwhile, Big Bull, now desperate after being diagnosed with Glioma, consults a scientist, Thomas (Makarand Deshpande), who suggests that transferring his memories to another person could grant him a twisted form of immortality. Big Bull's henchmen soon identify Shankar as the perfect candidate for this memory transfer. The procedure is carried out, but the question remains: what happens when Shankar's mind is flooded with the memories of the very man he seeks to destroy? Will he remember his quest for vengeance, or will the memories of Big Bull take control?

The plot of Double iSmart is a blend of sci-fi and a revenge drama. It brings to mind films like Shankar's Aparichithudu, where dual personalities took centrestage. But while Aparichithudu skillfully handled the complexities of duality, Double iSmart stumbles by trying to cram two complete personas into a single mind. The idea has potential, but it demands a level of competence and narrative strength that is sadly missing here.

Puri Jagannadh's direction leaves much to be desired. The film is a chaotic mash-up of his previous works, including iSmart Shankar - in fact, many times it feels like you're just watching the same movie twice. The movie is a relic from a bygone era rather than a fresh, contemporary take. The first half, in particular, is a test of patience. It's like cheap comedy > bombastic dialogues > high octane action > repeat. Despite the high energy levels brought by Ram Pothineni, the narrative drags. And the plot fails to take any meaningful twists or turns as the film progresses.

Indeed, the writing is where the film falters. Puri Jagannadh seems to be grasping at straws, desperately trying to revive the massy style that once won him acclaim. The movie's execution is riddled with errors, the most glaring being the casting of the young Shankar, who bears no resemblance to the adult version in any way, making the transition jarring and unconvincing.

Another weak point is the sci-fi element, particularly the memory transfer. The process is portrayed in a way that's as simple as transferring data between PCs using USB drives, which strips out any sense of credibility or intrigue. It's a bizarre and disappointing depiction of what could have been fascinating.

The comedy track involving Ali, a staple of Jagannadh's movies, who plays a tribal man from the Amazon, feels forced and outdates, and outstays its welcome as always, further disrupting the flow of the story. And as always in Jagannadh's movies, that sub-plot has no real connection to the main narrative.

Ram Pothineni is the same iSmart Shankar, and puts in his heart and soul to back his signature mass appeal and intense dialogue delivery. While his performance is solid, it suffers from the movie itself. Kavya Thapar, who plays Ram's love interest, adds glamour and not much else. Their on-screen chemistry is passable but fails to leave a lasting impression.

Sanjay Dutt, with his imposing physique, fits well into the role of the Big Bull, adding some gravitas to the film. However, his performance is serviceable at best, lacking the depth that could have made his character more menacing, and making his debut in Tollywood less than impressive.

The supporting cast, including Jhansi and Pragathi, deliver commendable performances as the mothers in the story. Get Up Srinu as the friend and sidekick of Ram is fun to watch, but he doesn't get much screen time. Ali's comedy, as mentioned earlier, is in poor taste - mainly involving sexual innuendo and the Amazonian tribal mumbo-jumbo dialogues.

Mani Sharma's score is a highlight, with catchy tunes that stick with you, especially SteppaMaar. The lyrics, a mix of English, Hindi and Telugu, may seem erratic, but there's a rhythm in their chaotic free-verse style.

The cinematography and production design are robust, suitable for an action-packed film. The editing could have salvaged the film by trimming the numerous unnecessary scenes (and Ali's track altogether) that disrupt the flow. The action sequences, while over-the-top and often defying the laws of physics, are in line with what you'd expect from a Jagannadh film.

Double iSmart is a classic case of a sequel that tries to cash in on the success of its predecessor without bringing anything new to the table, featuring primarily outdated ideas, lack of innovation and poor execution. Ram's energetic performance is not enough to lift the film out of mediocrity. If you're in the mood for some mindless action, give it a go, but it's best to skip this one and hold out for something fresher.