Puri Jagannadh once known for his blockbuster hits has seen a decline in his success streak over the years. He delivered industry hits like Pokiri (2006) which set benchmarks in Telugu cinema and cemented his reputation as a top-tier director. However, his recent projects have struggled to replicate the same magic and the director has no hits post Jr NTR’s Temper.
Jyothi Lakshmi: Starting with Jyothi Lakshmi (2015), the film failed to resonate with audiences, leading to a flop. Although the concept of the film was bold and intended to highlight societal issues, it couldn’t live up to commercial expectations. The lack of engaging content resulted in a disappointing outcome at the box office.
Loafer: Next, Loafer (2015), starring Varun Tej, was another disaster. Despite having the potential of being a commercial entertainer, the film’s clichéd storyline and execution didn’t sit well with the audience. The result was a box-office failure, which added to Puri Jagannadh’s declining streak.
Ism: Ism (2016) followed, which again proved to be a disaster. Starring Kalyan Ram, the movie tried to tackle relevant issues like journalism ethics but fell flat due to poor screenplay and execution. It further pushed Puri Jagannadh into a rough patch.
Rogue: Rogue (2017) which marked the debut of Ishan was also met with a cold response. The action-romance film lacked novelty, leading to another disaster. The routine story and outdated narrative couldn’t hold the audience’s attention, adding another setback to Puri’s career.
Paisa Vasool: Paisa Vasool (2017), starring Balakrishna, was promoted heavily but ended up being just an average film. The high-energy action sequences and mass elements didn’t click with viewers, leading to yet another failure for the director.
Mehbooba: Mehbooba (2018), an attempt to relaunch Puri’s son Akash Puri as a hero, also turned out to be a disaster. The film, set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan war, lacked the depth and engagement needed to connect with audiences, resulting in poor box-office returns.
Ismart Shankar: It wasn’t until iSmart Shankar (2019) that Puri Jagannadh saw a blockbuster. The film, starring Ram Pothineni, was a mass entertainer filled with catchy music, energetic performances, and a gripping narrative, making it a box-office hit and reviving Puri’s image to some extent.
Romantic: Puri’s next film, Romantic (2021), an average performer, failed to sustain his comeback momentum. Starring Akash Puri, the movie received mixed reviews and had a moderate run at the box office, indicating that the director’s formula was losing its charm.
Liger: Liger (2022), starring Vijay Deverakonda, was one of the most anticipated pan-Indian films. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a colossal disaster. The film’s weak plot, poor execution, and failed attempt at creating a mass appeal left audiences disappointed.
Finally, Double iSmart (2024), the sequel to iSmart Shankar, was released today but has already received flop talk. Despite the expectations and the success of the first film, the sequel failed to live up to the hype. The repetitive formula and lack of freshness resulted in another box-office setback for Puri Jagannadh.
The question remains: where is the vintage Puri Jagannadh who once gave industry hits like Pokiri? His recent track record shows a consistent decline in quality making it challenging to regain the same level of success he enjoyed in the past.
