'Double iSmart' is director Puri Jagannadh's latest release. Is it a worthy sequel to 'Ismart Shankar'? Let's find out in our review.
Plot:
Shankar (Ram) is a self-styled thief who sorely misses his dead mother (Jhansi). An orphan, he becomes a guinea pig when a dreaded don named Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) 'hires' his mind in search of immortality. Bigg Bull, through a fantastical medical intervention, gets his memories transferred to Shankar. Shankar now has two personalities: himself and Big Bull.
Performances:
Ram Pothineni is in his element. He should have tried a new slang this time, though. Probably, setting the story in Andhra Pradesh, where Shankar speaks in the local dialect for a plot-related reason, would have lent a degree of unpredictability.
Sanjay Dutt is a thorough disappointment. You don't remember his antics after you walk out of the theatre. Why are Puri's antagonists becoming so listless? In comparison, Kavya Thapar has been presented glamorously. You can accuse Puri of losing his form in every other dimension. But when it comes to presenting his heroines, he retains a certain zing.
Ali's eccentric comedy timing saves the ill-written Boka, a tribal who makes weird gestures throughout. Getup Srinu makes an impact in others' films, not in Puri's. It is hard to see Jhansi in melodramatic scenes. Pragathi is another drama queen whose performance tests your patience in the second half.
Also, a polite request to Puri: please stop casting Makrand Deshpande in your films. A terrific artist otherwise, he is always made to look like a drugged weirdo in your films.
Technical Departments:
Mani Sharma delivers, yet again. His music was phenomenal for 'Ismart Shankar'. In the film under review, he lives up to our (muted) expectations. Incidentally, this week's other release, 'Mr. Bachchan', too, features excellent songs (by Mickey J Meyer). 'Double iSmart' is not dragged down by its cinematography and action sequences, but it is not elevated by them either.
Merits:
1. Ram Pothineni's upbeat performance. After watching him in 'Skanda' and 'The Warriorr', he feels like he has regained his mojo, thanks to Puri.
2. The songs possess a style factor. The dance choreography and the editing are enjoyable.
3. It is a surprise that Kavya Thapar is adorable in an otherwise formulaic, somewhat problematic romantic track.
Demerits:
1. The narration is partly predictable and partly contrived. There is a twist or two that tires you out.
2. The genesis of the rivalry between Shankar and Big Bull has a weak foundation.
3. Almost all characters around the protagonist-antagonist duo are sketchy and patchy. Sayaji Shinde's RAW sleuth is the most brainless one of all.
4. The motives of Big Bull are mythical. But when he is asked why he wants to achieve immortality, he says he wants to have more and more sex. What?
5. Ali's comedy track is random. If it is not headache-inducing, it's because of Ali. Any other comedian would probably have caused frustration.
Vox Verdict:
'Double iSmart' is below-average. Mani Sharma's music, Ram's performance, and the style factor help.
