Double iSmart review and rating: Double iSmart is the sequel to the 2019 commercial hit iSmart Shankar, directed by Puri Jagannadh. With high expectations, the film attempts to blend a sci-fi element with mass entertainment, starring Ram Pothineni in the lead role alongside Sanjay Dutt, Kavya Thapar, and others. The movie revolves around a unique concept where a business tycoon’s memories are transferred to Shankar’s brain. However, the promising concept is let down by weak execution.
Plot: The story begins with Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt), a wealthy businessman who is diagnosed with a brain tumor and has only a few months to live. Desperate to continue his legacy, he opts for a brain transplant, hoping to preserve his memories by transferring them to another person. Enter Shankar (Ram Pothineni), a hyper-energetic street-smart character from the first film, who becomes the unlikely recipient of Big Bull’s memories through a chip. What follows is Shankar’s chaotic journey as he navigates his new identity, battles enemies, and handles the emotional conflict of having another person’s memories in his mind.
Performances and Technical Aspects: Ram Pothineni shines in the role of Shankar, showcasing the same energy and charm that made the first film popular. He’s fully immersed in the character, delivering lively performances in action scenes, dances, and dialogue. His dedication is one of the film’s few highlights. Sanjay Dutt, though impactful in his limited screen time, is somewhat hindered by dubbing issues that affect the believability of his character. Kavya Thapar, playing the female lead, delivers a decent performance but lacks the screen presence to leave a lasting impression.
On the technical side, Mani Sharma’s music doesn’t quite match the catchy appeal of the original’s soundtrack, though the background score supports the mood. The cinematography is decent but fails to bring freshness to the visual experience. Editing could have been tighter, as the film’s length feels excessive. The screenplay doesn’t take full advantage of the novel concept, leading to a repetitive and predictable narrative.
Analysis: Double iSmart struggles due to its overly loud and predictable execution. The first half, filled with Shankar’s love track and over-the-top sequences, lacks the signature punch that Puri Jagannadh is known for. The film picks up slightly with the introduction of the memory transfer concept, but the potential of this intriguing idea is wasted in the second half. Instead of building suspense or creating interesting plot twists, the narrative relies on forced emotional beats, juvenile humor, and unnecessarily extended scenes.
Ali’s comedy track, which starts off promising, becomes irritating due to repetition. Similarly, Pragathi’s character, introduced for sentiment, feels misplaced and poorly executed. By the time the film reaches its climax, viewers are left with a predictable resolution, offering nothing fresh or exciting. Puri Jagannadh, known for his sharp writing and mass appeal, seems to have lost his touch, as the film fails to engage beyond surface-level entertainment.
Verdict: Double iSmart had the potential to be a fun, high-energy mass entertainer but falls short due to a lack of substance in the story and underwhelming writing. Ram Pothineni’s performance is commendable, but even his energy cannot salvage a film weighed down by a stretched narrative, routine execution, and forced drama.
Bottom Line: SIM out of service — an idea that loses its signal due to poor direction and predictable storytelling
Rating : 1.5/5
