Can anyone save Double iSmart."Double iSmart" Stumbles: Sequel Fails to Recapture Magic of Original.
"Double iSmart," the much-anticipated sequel to the blockbuster "iSmart Shankar," has experienced a disappointing start at the box office, with collections dropping on Friday after a decent opening on Thursday.
While the film managed to collect Rs 7.5 crore in its first two days, the initial excitement generated by the Ram Pothineni-Puri Jagannadh pairing has not translated into sustained success.
Distributors are expressing concern about the film's declining performance, attributing it to negative word-of-mouth. The audience response has been lukewarm, with the film failing to capture the energy and engagement of its predecessor.
"The film had a strong opening due to the hype surrounding the combination, but it seems the audience isn't impressed," one distributor said. "The double memory transfer plot and Ram's different portrayal haven't resonated with viewers."
"iSmart Shankar" captivated audiences with its innovative plot of memory transfer and Ram's energetic performance. However, "Double iSmart" appears to have lost its edge, with the double memory transfer concept feeling convoluted and the film lacking the original's punch.
Ram Pothineni, hoping to make a comeback after the underperformance of "Warrior" and "Skanda," agreed to star in the sequel. However, "Double iSmart" is unlikely to deliver the box-office success he sought.
The film's prospects for a blockbuster run appear weak, and the distributors believe that increased promotional efforts may be the only way to salvage its performance.
The disappointing response to "Double iSmart" highlights the challenges of sequels, particularly those that try to outdo their predecessors. It remains to be seen whether the film can overcome its current slump and achieve a successful run at the box office.