Double iSmart is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language science fiction action film directed by Puri Jagannadh, who co-produced with Charmy Kaur under Puri Connects. It is the spiritual sequel to iSmart Shankar. The film stars Ram Pothineni, alongside Sanjay Dutt (in his Telugu debut), Ali, Kavya Thapar, Sayaji Shinde and Bani J.[3][4] The music was composed by Mani Sharma, while cinematography and editing were handled by Gianni Giannelli & Shyam K. Naidu and Karthika Srinivas.
| Double iSmart | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Puri Jagannadh |
| Written by | Puri Jagannadh |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Karthika Srinivas |
| Music by | Mani Sharma |
Production company | |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 162 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | est. ₹90 crore[2] |
| Box office | est. ₹18 crore[2] |
Double iSmart was theatrically released on 15 August 2024, coinciding with Indian Independence Day. The film received negative reviews from critics and eventually became a box-office bomb.[2]
Premise
editBig Bull, a notorious assassin, wants to achieve immortality and decides to transfer his memories to "iSmart" Shankar, who already has another's person's memories transferred to him, thus setting the stage for the intense confrontation between Shankar and Big Bull.
Cast
editAdapted from the opening credits:[5]
- Ram Pothineni as Ustaad "iSmart" Shankar alias Double ismart
- Chekiri as young Shankar
- Sanjay Dutt as Big Bull
- Ali as Boka
- Kavya Thapar as Jannat Mehrunnisa , Shankar's love interest
- Sayaji Shinde as CBI Officer Chandrakanth
- Bani J as Bentley
- Makarand Deshpande as Dr Thomas
- Jhansi as Pochamma, Shankar's mother
- Pragathi as Old Pochamma
- Temper Vamsi as Addagutta Akbar
- Jairoop Jeevan as Harshvardhan
- Uttej as CI K. Ravi Prakash
- Getup Srinu as Shankar's friend
- Rohini as lady constable
- Ganesh Yadav as police inspector
- Kecha Khamphakdee as Chinese mafia Wong
- Vishal Sharma as security officer
- Puri Jagannadh as himself in the song "SteppaMaar"
Production
editDouble iSmart was officially announced on 14 May 2023 by Ram Pothineni and Puri Jagannadh. Sanjay Dutt joined the cast as the main antagonist, making his debut in Telugu cinema.[6]
Principal photography commenced on 12 July 2023, after a grand launch in Hyderabad.[7] The first schedule wrapped on 31 July 2023, featuring an action sequence filmed in Mumbai.[8] The second schedule commenced in Thailand in August 2023.[citation needed] Some sequences of the film were shot in Mumbai in May 2024, following which the production faced delays due to financial constraints though later resolved.[9][10] The climax of the film was shot in Mumbai, where a large set worth ₹8 crore was made. The principal photography was wrapped on 5 July.[11]
Soundtrack
edit| Double iSmart | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 20 August 2024 |
| Recorded | 2023–24 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 20:02 |
| Language | Telugu |
| Label | Aditya Music |
| Official audio | |
| Audio Jukebox on YouTube | |
The soundtrack album and background score for the film were composed by Mani Sharma.[12] The audio rights were acquired by Aditya Music.[citation needed]
The first single titled "SteppaMaar" was released on 1 July 2024.[13] The second single titled "Maar Muntha Chod Chinta" was released on 16 July 2024.[14] The third single titled "Kya Lafda" was released on 29 July 2024.[15] The fourth single titled "Big Bull" was released on 8 August 2024.[citation needed] The fifth single titled "Mother Song" was released on 17 August 2024.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "SteppaMaar" | Bhaskarabhatla | Anurag Kulkarni, Sahithi | 3:52 |
| 2. | "Maar Muntha Chod Chinta" | Kasarla Shyam | Rahul Sipligunj, Keerthana Sharma, Dhanunjay Seepana | 3:51 |
| 3. | "Kya Lafda" | Sri Harsha Emani | Dhanunjay Seepana, Sindhuja Srinivasan | 4:31 |
| 4. | "Big Bull" | Bhaskarabhatla | Prudhvi Chandra, Sanjana Kalmanje | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Mother Song" | Krishna Kanth | Ramya Behara | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 20:02 | |||
Release
editTheatrical
editThe film was initially set to release on 8 March 2024 (Maha Shivaratri), but was later postponed to 15 August 2024 coinciding with Independence Day.[16][17][18] The film received an A (adults only) certification from the Central Board of Film Certification on the account of violence and strong language.[19]
Distribution
editThe distribution rights of the film were acquired by Primeshow Entertainment and Mythri Movie Makers.[20] The distribution rights were acquired to Sakthi Film Factory in Tamil Nadu[citation needed].
Home media
editThe digital streaming rights to the film were acquired by Amazon Prime Video for ₹33 crore.[21] The satellite rights were sold by Zee Telugu and Zee Cinemalu respectively. The film was premiered on Amazon Prime Video from 5 September 2024.[22]
Reception
editBVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave 2/5 stars and wrote "After a flop like Liger, noted director Puri Jagannadh returns with Double iSmart, but the sci-fi plot he has chosen is not exciting enough."[23] Sashidhar Adivi of Times Now gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Double iSmart is a tedious affair!."[24] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute gave 1/5 stars and wrote "Puri fries our brain with double the torture."[25] In a negative review, Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times wrote "Puri Jagannadh focuses so much on making his protagonist likeable that this time around, he forgets to focus on a coherent story."[26]
References
edit- ^ "Double Ismart". ecinepramaan.gov.in. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "More trolls than collections: Double iSmart draws a meagre Rs 17 cr after 10 days!". Deccan Chronicle. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Puri Jagannadhs Double iSmart Shoot Begins in Mumbai with Action Sequence". Zee News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Puri Jagannadh confirms the sequel to 'iSmart Shankar'; Title registered as 'Double iSmart'". The Times of India. 18 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Double iSmart (in Telugu). India: Puri Connects. 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024 – via Amazon Prime.
- ^ "Sanjay Dutt slays as fearless Big Bull in Double iSmart's first look". The Indian Express. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Ram Pothineni, Puri join hands again". Deccan Chronicle. 10 July 2023. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Double iSmart: Ram Pothineni and Puri Jagannadh's film wraps first schedule in Mumbai". The Times of India. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Ram-Puri's Double iSmart Resumes In Mumbai". Gulte. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Has Ram Pothineni halted Double Ismart's shoot due to pay issues? We clarify..." ottplay.com. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Ram Pothineni Starrer 'Double Ismart' Wraps Up Shoot". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Mani Sharma on board Ram Pothineni - Puri Jagannadh's 'Double iSmart'". The Hindu. 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "First single of Double iSmart to be out on this date". Cinema Express. 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Second Single Maar Muntha Chod Chinta From Ram Pothineni's Film Double Ismart Is Out!". Times Now. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "'Double Ismart': Ram Pothineni & Kavya Thapar shine with electric chemistry in Kya Lafda". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Puri Jagannadh's 'Double iSmart' gets a release date". The Hindu. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Puri Jagannadh's 'Double iSmart' gets a release date". The Hindu. 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt's Double iSmart release date announced; fans wonder about Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2". Hindustan Times. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Puri Jagannadh's 'Double iSmart' gets A-rating from censor board, check run-time". India Today. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
- ^ "Primeshow Entertainment bags theatrical rights for Double iSmart". Cinema Express. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Ram Pothineni's Double iSmart locks deal with THIS OTT platform for a whopping amount?". Pinkvilla. 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Ram Pothineni's Film Double iSmart Released Silently On OTT Platform". Times Now. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Prakash, B. V. S. (15 August 2024). "Double iSmart: Sci-Fi Sequel Fails to Deliver, Struggles with Outlandish Plot". www.deccanchronicle.com.
- ^ "Double iSmart Review: A Tedious Affair!". Times Now. 15 August 2024.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (15 August 2024). "Double iSmart review: Puri fries our brain with double the torture". The News Minute.
- ^ "Double iSmart review: Ram Pothineni, Puri Jagannadh's film is 'double' annoying". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 August 2024.