Danger Clouds over Puri Jagannath. Puri Jagannath is eagerly anticipating the release of his upcoming film, 'Double iSmart,' as a critical juncture in his career, aiming to rebound after the setback of 'Liger.' The director is on a mission to reaffirm his prowess in delivering compelling action films, particularly in contrast to some of his peers like Krishna Vamsi and Gunasekhar, who have struggled to make an impact lately. A seasoned producer notes, 'While many of Puri's contemporaries, who were once disciples of Ram Gopal Varma, enjoyed significant success in the past, they seem to be losing their touch with the new generation audience, resulting in recent disappointments. The tastes of Telugu viewers are evolving with increased exposure to OTT platforms, favoring fresh, contemporary themes over conventional formulas.'
Puri Jagannath, having faced challenges post 'Liger,' is keen on proving his mettle once again, building on the success of 'iSmart Shankar.' The sequel, 'Double iSmart,' featuring Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt, is poised to be a comeback vehicle for the director. Despite earlier hurdles with the distributors of 'Liger,' Puri's affable and stress-free demeanor seems to have played a role in resolving these issues.
The director, also doubling as a producer, is known for his jovial and friendly nature, maintaining a focused approach to his work without succumbing to unnecessary stress. Renowned for his mastery in crafting mass-centric films, Puri Jagannath is adept at seamlessly blending heroism and love stories while extracting chartbusters from composers, resulting in musical hits.
Puri, once a top-ranking director with blockbuster hits like 'Desamuduru,' 'Pokiri,' 'Businessman,' and 'Temper,' harbors a long-time dream of collaborating with megastar Chiranjeevi. The success of 'Double iSmart' could potentially open doors for Puri to realize this aspiration. As the director aims to make a triumphant return with his signature storytelling style, the industry is watching closely, anticipating the resurgence of one of its esteemed filmmakers.