Puri Jagannadh’s latest film, Double iSmart, has made an unexpected early debut on Amazon Prime Video, arriving on the streaming platform just 21 days after its theatrical release on August 15. The film, starring Ram Pothineni, Sanjay Dutt, and Kavya Thapar, received a tepid response from audiences and critics alike upon its release.
The OTT release was notably low-key, with no major announcements from either Prime Video or the film’s producers, Puri Connects. As of September 5, Double iSmart is available for streaming in its original Telugu language, as well as Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. It remains unclear if a Hindi version will be made available in the future.
The film continues the story of iSmart Shankar (played by Ram Pothineni), who finds himself entangled in a new predicament involving a dying gangster, Big Bull (Sanjay Dutt), seeking immortality by transferring his memories. Double iSmart is a sequel to the 2019 hit iSmart Shankar, which was a commercial success despite criticisms for its controversial themes.
However, the sequel failed to recreate the original’s success. Critics and audiences have been less forgiving of its content and execution, with particular criticism directed at Ali’s comedic track and the film’s music by Mani Sharma. The film also struggled to resonate with viewers, who found the sequel lacking in impact compared to its predecessor.
Puri Jagannadh, who previously directed the 2022 film Liger featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday, has faced challenges in reviving his cinematic reputation. Liger was panned by both critics and audiences, adding to Puri’s recent struggles at the box office. Similarly, Ram Pothineni has faced a series of disappointing releases following the success of iSmart Shankar, including Red, The Warriorr, and Skanda, all of which failed to perform well commercially.
As both Puri Jagannadh and Ram Pothineni look to regain their footing in the industry, Double iSmart’s swift move to streaming might offer a new avenue for the film to reach audiences, albeit with a much quieter launch than anticipated.
Sources By Agencies
