‘Double iSmart’ Review: An Excessive and Crude Action Flick

When the ‘rebooted’ Shankar reflects on perceiving himself as both the victim and the perpetrator, it creates a powerful opportunity to delve into the intricacies of his circumstances.

The highly anticipated clash between good and evil in ‘Double iSmart’ takes place just before the interval, featuring Shankar (Ram Pothineni) confronting Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt) at a dockyard. However, this isn’t just any ordinary showdown; their shared past adds depth to this encounter. It’s a pivotal moment where Shankar could have transcended the typical hero role, emerging as a character whose triumph also represents an emotional victory. Unfortunately, ‘Double iSmart’ lacks the ambition to become that kind of film. As with the first installment of the franchise, the outrageous sci-fi concept of memory transfer is central to the plot. Believability takes a backseat, and the film is unapologetic about its tone. Regrettably, it also indulges in misogynistic humor that leaves a sour impression. The dialogue is crude, and the visuals are suggestive, creating a repetitive cycle of discomfort. Jokes reducing women to mere sexual conquests are incessant. For instance, when a villain’s associate introduces herself as Bentley, the hero responds with, ‘the kind rich men enjoy riding?’ Jannat (Kavya Thapar) is likened to everything from a curvy fruit to milk solids. Even when the villain expresses his troubles, it revolves around his sexual performance, despite having access to call girls. At one point, the hero likens two women passing by to processed food, stating he prefers ‘organic,’ while his sidekick jokingly suggests he try a ‘watermelon.’ If that sounds off-putting, it’s even worse in execution. The first half is stitched together with numerous such jokes, alongside a heavy focus on Kavya Thapar, often captured through voyeuristic camera angles.

In the hero-introducing song ‘Steppa Maar,’ there’s a striking moment where Shankar is seen smoking a cigarette, and the smoky reflection is beautifully captured in Ram’s sunglasses. This film certainly revels in its hyper-masculine vibe, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some over-the-top fun in a movie that prioritizes adrenaline. However, ‘Double iSmart’ also defines its masculinity by how much it marginalizes women. The so-called ‘comedy track’ featuring a tribal man (Ali) who arrives in the city and causes chaos with his primitive antics—including seducing urban women with tantric practices—leaves you feeling numb. You can’t help but think, “There’s no way the creators were oblivious to the issues present in this narrative while writing and filming it,” leading to concerns about the mindset of the team involved.

Puri Jagannadh’s approach in ‘Double iSmart’ carries a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Honestly, I wish I could just leave it behind.

Cast: Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt, Kavya Thapar, Makarand Deshpande, Bani J

Director: Puri Jagannadh

Rating: 1.5/5 stars.