Puri Jagannadh’s 2019 hit, ‘iSmart Shankar,’ left audiences eagerly awaiting its sequel. However, the recently released trailer of ‘Double iSmart,’ starring Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt, and Kavya Thapar fails to impress. Despite its promising cast, here are reasons why the sequel, slated for a theatrical release on August 15, doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
The misogynistic dialogues are outdated and offending: In 2024, it’s disheartening to see films still relying on cringe-worthy and misogynistic dialogues to impress. The trailer of ‘Double iSmart’ features lines such as, “Ae chamiya.. Andar ja kar nazar utar lena, warna Shankar ki nazar lag jaegi,” and “Teri bhabhi hai Qutub Minar aur apan hai Char Minar.. Dono mil jae toh dil mai baji guitar.” These dialogues not only show poor writing but also sexist attitudes. Such dialogues also take us back to outdated films where heroines would fall for men who objectify and demean them. Whether these regressive lines still resonate with the audience or not, will be known only after its release.
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Sanjay Dutt’s underwhelming performance as the Big Bull
Sanjay Dutt, an acclaimed actor known for his captivating performances, has set a high standard with his recent roles in South Indian cinema. His portrayals as Adheera in ‘K.G.F.: Chapter 2’ and Anthony Das in ‘Leo: Bloody Sweet’ earned him widespread acclaim. However, his upcoming role as the Big Bull in ‘Double iSmart’ falls flat. The glimpses of his performance in the trailer fail to leave a lasting impression.
A failed attempt at comedy
In the 2.43 minutes trailer, the makers have shown a glimpse of prominent Telugu comedian, Ali. However, the attempts to inject humor into Ali’s character seem to have not hit right. His scenes feel forced and fail to deliver genuine laughs. Also, his appearance in the trailer feels abrupt. Moreover, the film’s reliance on Shankar’s dialogues to evoke comedy only ends up being cringe-worthy. It appears to be a misfire in the comic department, making one wonder if comedy was an afterthought in the script.
Brain transfer concept falls short
The trailer of ‘Double iSmart’ reveals a baffling plot point where Shankar has a USB port installed at the back of his head, enabling memory transfer. On the other hand, the villainous Big Bull seeks immortality through a brain transfer surgery for which he forcefully brings Shankar to his lab. This narrative relies on a far-fetched concept, highlighting the struggles of Indian cinema in crafting science fiction movies that are at part par with the West. The idea feels like a lazy, unconvincing attempt at sci-fi, lacking the nuance expected from the genre.
Published: 05 Aug 2024, 03:35 pm IST
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