Double iSmart Movie Review: Ram Pothineni starrer is a no-brainer action mess that suffers from illogical and outdated narration

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As an ardent fan of Telugu cinema, I must say that Double iSmart has left me in a state of utter bewilderment. With my heart pounding like a drum, I eagerly anticipated the sequel to iSmart Shankar, but alas, it felt more like a remix of the same old tunes with a dash of confusion.

Once more gracing the silver screen, I’m overjoyed as Ram Pothineni reunites with director Puri Jagannadh for the much-anticipated Double iSmart! This new venture marks the continuation of our beloved tale that began in 2019 with the hit film, iSmart Shankar. The excitement is palpable as we journey forward together!

The film boasts a star-studded cast led by Sanjay Dutt as the primary villain. Actors such as Kavya Thapar, Sayaji Shinde, Bani J, Getup Srinu, Ali, Makarand Deshpande, Jhansi, and others are among those playing significant roles. If you’re considering catching it in theaters, here is a review from TopMob for your perusal.

The Plot:

Initially, our story unfolds around a notorious criminal, infamously known as Big Bull, who receives a devastating diagnosis – a brain tumor. This revelation stirs within him an overwhelming fear that his days may be numbered. In search of ways to prolong his life and attain immortality, the gangster approaches a scientist for aid. The scientist proposes an unconventional solution: transferring Big Bull’s memories to another individual.

Despite numerous attempts to develop a man with an integrated USB port in his brain, their efforts proved unsuccessful. This setback led them to seek out someone who already possessed this unique trait, which they found in Ustaad iSmart Shankar. The remainder of the movie revolves around Big Bull’s mission and the subsequent events that unfold for Shankar.

The Good:

Ram Pothineni’s film “Double iSmart” provides plenty of action-packed scenes that showcase the actor in a strong, masculine role, much like his recent projects. His lively performances on screen, highlighted by his unique mannerisms, are deserving of praise and will surely delight his fans.

1. The actor gracefully executes his dance steps without a hitch, as one might expect, and this agility translates to his dynamic action scenes as well. Moreover, the undeniable chemistry between the main actors is intense, though it’s overshadowed by their flawed character portrayals.

Regarding the technical elements, the standout feature of the film is undeniably the exceptional talent of Mani Sharma in music composition. He has poured his heart and soul into this production, making the songs and background scores truly shine. Even amidst the chaotic, disorganized nature of the movie, Mani’s musical abilities are what truly stand out.

In addition to the movie’s captivating soundtrack, it’s worth noting the exceptional work of cinematographers Gianni Giannelli and Shyam K. Naidu, particularly in the closing scenes, for their visually stunning contributions to the film.

The Bad:

Double iSmart is truly a profound mess of a movie with dumb tropes and illogical narration. The film, a sequel with the same character from iSmart Shankar, is leading a new life once again as the lowly thug. The screenplay used for the movie fails on multiple occasions, making us question our existence.

The portrayal of characters, plot progression, and scene construction in this work appears chaotic, incorporating bizarre aspects. From the outset, the film struggles to engage, lacking clarity about the story’s purpose and context.

Setting aside the questionable representation of romantic relationships, marked by harassment and inappropriate actions, the central character fails to undergo a meaningful transformation and struggles to evoke empathy for his inner conflicts.

Although RamPo and Kavya Thapar share a strong connection, their romantic relationship seems incredibly unrealistic. Yet, given their central roles in the movie, they inevitably develop feelings for each other, without much hesitation. Their passionate love story is so intense that it feels almost overwhelming to watch.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the way Sanjay Dutt’s talent is being underutilized on-screen. Instead of challenging roles that truly showcase his acting prowess, he’s often typecast in common hoodlum characters, labeled as a gangster. Despite his relentless efforts to portray a formidable adversary, the role seems to overwhelm him, leaving me wishing for more compelling characters that would let this remarkable actor shine.

What’s particularly bothersome is the outdated practice of using a comic subplot that feels disconnected from the main storyline. In this case, having comedian Ali portray a tribal character embarks on a series of humorously flawed scenes unrelated to the primary narrative. These humorous sequences not only carry an unsettling tone but also seem to be blatant mockery, particularly towards women.

Instead of delving into the crucial elements of the original film such as Shankar’s recovery, the fate of the police officer’s former girlfriend, and if he has moved on from his past love, the follow-up movie disappointingly leaves these questions unanswered. As a result, we can only conclude that iSmart Shankar stands head and shoulders above its sequel due to this lack of resolution.

The Performance:

None of the actors gave any sort of outstanding performance. The only tolerable aspect was seeing Ram Pothineni and Kavya Thapar dance their hearts out.

The Verdict:

Remarkably, the movie dubbed as “Double iSmart” stands out as an unusual cinematic chaos, leaving one puzzled about the director’s talents who brought us masterpieces like Mahesh Babu’s Pokiri and Jr NTR’s Temper. It seems odd that he would restrict his skillset to such a level in this production.

For dedicated RamPo enthusiasts, watching the movie might offer enjoyment, yet it could still pose an inconvenience for them. In truth, this film is accessible to any viewer eager to gain a deeper understanding of life, since from the outset, one can’t help but wish for its conclusion.

If you’re open to experiencing an uncomplicated action movie that combines thrilling actions and dance numbers, it might be worth giving it a single viewing.

Check out the trailer for Double iSmart here:

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2024-08-15 19:09