Puri back with a bang

Seasoned director Puri Jagannath makes a comeback of sorts after hitting a lean patch. With his latest release 'iSmart Shankar' drawing sensational openings, the director has regained his midas touch.

"Undeniably, Puri Jagannath made a big comeback and proved that he still knows the pulse of audiences. The film is expected to draw more than Rs 20 crore by this weekend," says distributor Bharat Bushan and adds "Puri stuck to his formula of over-the-top heroism, slam bang action and girls oozing glam to score a hit after 'Temper."

Despite good openings, the film drew lot of flak for its contrived plot(chip transplantation), double entendre and Ram's loud performance along with objectifying women. "Puri almost lost his career with a slew of disasters like 'Jyothilakshmi' to 'Rogue' and 'Paisa Vasool' to 'Mehbhooba', but now delivered a money-spinner at the right time, before his detractors write him off," says distributor Trinath, who feels that Puri' style hasn't changed much.

"Jagan is known for showing his heroes as invincible and heroines more as glam-props. And weaves a plot that would fit in all his ingredients. It looks like his template still has some life as it connected with youth and masses this time," He gave a makeover for lover boy Ram and his new look caught the eyeballs.

"Ram's muscled-look and Telangana dialect were an added attractions to Puri's aggressive hero to give a new fillip to Ram's career. As this film going to become the highest grosser in Ram's career, although he had big hits like 'Ready' and 'Kandireega," adds Bharat Bushan.

No doubt, 'iSmart Shankar is said to be inspired by 'iBoy,' a British film which released in 2017 which director Puri Jagannadh agreed 'inspiration' but didn't name any film.

The director, who made blockbusters hits like 'Idiot', 'Pokiri,' 'Desamuduru' and 'Businessman' gets a new lease of life and he has already taken a dig at Mahesh Babu and more to come.

Meanwhile, his guru RGV was here to celebrate the success of his 'chela' and urged him to start sequel to 'iSmart Shankar' to take heroism to the next level. Await 'Triple Dhamaka'.