Director: Puri Jagannadh
Starring: Ram Pothineni, Kavya Thapar, Sanjay Dutt, Getup Srinu, Ali, Sayaji Shinde
 
"Double iSmart" tries to take the high-octane excitement of its predecessor iSmart Shankar and pump it up with a new sci-fi twist. But what you get is less of a thrilling sequel and more of a haphazard jumble of missed opportunities.
 
The plot kicks off with the menacing Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) facing a grim diagnosis of Glioma. Enter a kooky scientist who suggests transferring Big Bull's memories to another person for immortality. Cue Shankar (Ram Pothineni), who gets dragged into this wild experiment. The setup promises a gripping narrative, but unfortunately, the film's execution leaves much to be desired.
 
Ram Pothineni returns as iSmart Shankar, delivering a performance packed with his signature mass appeal and intense dialogue delivery. He’s the film’s sole highlight, reminding us why he’s a star. However, this time around, his efforts are overshadowed by a lackluster screenplay and uninspired direction.
 
Kavya Thapar plays his love interest, and while their chemistry is decent, it doesn't exactly spark fireworks. Sanjay Dutt’s role as the mafia don feels underwhelming—his portrayal is more routine villain than menacing mob boss. The supporting cast, including Getup Srinu and Ali, do their best but struggle with a script that doesn't give them much to work with.
 
Puri Jagannadh's direction is a letdown. The film's screenplay is weak, particularly in the second half, where the plot drags and the story loses momentum. The emotional beats intended to add depth are poorly executed, leaving characters feeling flat and underdeveloped. Jhansi’s role, which could have added emotional weight, is particularly disappointing, and Pragathi’s over-the-top performance is more irritating than engaging.
 
The comedy, a staple in Puri Jagannadh’s films, falls flat. Ali’s attempts at humor come across as more annoying than funny, and the songs, rather than enhancing the narrative, feel like forced interruptions. Manisharma’s usually impressive background score fails to energize the film, with the music feeling out of sync with the on-screen action.
 
The face-off scenes between Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt, which should have been the film’s climax, are poorly executed. Sanjay Dutt’s Telugu debut could have been a memorable one, but it’s marred by poor characterization and awkward dubbing.
 
Editor Junaid Siddiqui could have tightened up the film by cutting down unnecessary scenes, especially in the sluggish second half. Raj Thota’s cinematography is serviceable, and the production values are decent, but they can't compensate for the film’s many flaws.
 
In summary, Double iSmart struggles to live up to the excitement of iSmart Shankar. Despite Ram Pothineni’s valiant efforts, the film falters due to a weak script, uninspired direction, and lackluster performances from the rest of the cast. If you’re hoping for a solid sequel packed with thrills and laughs, you might want to keep looking.