iSmart Shankar (2019) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
iSmart Shankar (2019) Review
Directed by Puri Jagannadh, iSmart Shankar (2019) is a Telugu action, sci-fi, thriller film starring Ram Pothineni, Nidhhi Agerwal, Satyadev Kancharana. A contract killer goes on the run after eliminating a target and eventually finds himself linked to a slain cop whose memory is transferred to his brain. Our Rating: 3/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT. Released: 17 Jul 2019. Runtime: 2h 21m.
iSmart Shankar(2019)
Telugu · Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
2h 21m · 17 Jul 2019
Music: Mani Sharma | DOP: Raju Thota | Writer: Puri Jagannadh, A.R. Sreedhar, Kiran Thatavarthi
Ratings
Our Rating
3
📖 Story
iSmart Shankar is an action-packed sci-fi thriller revolving around Shankar, a street-smart assassin who gets a chance to redeem himself when a cop implants the memories of a dead officer into his brain to solve a high-profile murder case. The film explores Shankar's transformation as he navigates through crime, memory, and identity to bring justice.
Ram Pothineni: Energetic and charismatic portrayal of the titular character with a blend of mass appeal and emotional depth.
Nidhhi Agerwal: Provides a fresh and charming presence with limited scope but effective in her role.
Satyadev Kancharana: Strong and intense as the antagonist, adding a credible threat to the narrative.
Puri Jagannadh: Brief but impactful supporting role.
Ram Pothineni: Solid supporting performance.
Nidhhi Agerwal: Effective in his role adding to the film's tension.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓High-energy action sequences
- ✓Engaging mass appeal
- ✓Catchy music by Mani Sharma
- ✓Stylish cinematography
- ✓Strong antagonist performance
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable storyline
- ✕Weak screenplay in parts
- ✕Over-the-top elements
- ✕Lack of depth in female characters
🎬 Direction & Writing
Puri Jagannadh delivers a commercial entertainer with a fast-paced narrative and stylized action, focusing on mass appeal rather than subtlety or complexity. The direction is punchy but sometimes sacrifices logic for style.
📰 Critic Reviews
One the whole, Ismart Shankar is an unapologetic full on mass masala entertainer aimed at the masses. Ram’s crazy makeover will be loved by many. His one man show and good music make the otherwise ordinary story and dull narration click in several areas. All you need to do is to ignore the logics and go with the flow a…
iSmart Shankar title and promotions indicate to us that it’s a mass film. ‘A’ certificate is given for adult (violence and double meaning dialogues) content. Plus points of the film are Ram’s terrific work, Puri Jagan dialogues/direction and entertaining screenplay in 2nd half (Double Dhimaak concept). Ram has been str…
Ismart Shankar is a paisa vasool commercial potboiler. Director Puri Jagan and Hero Ram complemented each other well, for Ram this is career best performance. First half is entertaining, but the second half goes flat with very predictive revenge formulaic path. Family audience may find it difficult to adjust to the Pur…
The complete audio of Ismart Shankar is finally out in the open. Composed by the legendary Mani Sharma, let’s now see how…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.5 | |
| 2.75 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - Strong opening weekend collections
- - Sustained good occupancy in multiplexes
- - Performed well in mass centers
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics
Critics generally praised Ram Pothineni's energetic performance and the film's high-octane action sequences. However, the predictable plot and over-the-top elements received criticism. The music and technical aspects were appreciated for enhancing the commercial appeal.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did iSmart Shankar release in theatres?▾
iSmart Shankar released on 17 July 2019 (2019).
Is iSmart Shankar a hit or flop?▾
iSmart Shankar is declared a SUPER HIT at the box office.
What is the budget of iSmart Shankar?▾
Budget of iSmart Shankar is approximately ₹2100000 Crore.
Where to watch iSmart Shankar online? OTT release date?▾
iSmart Shankar is available on ZEE5, JioHotstar, SonyLIV, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed iSmart Shankar?▾
iSmart Shankar directed by Puri Jagannadh. Produced by Puri Jagannadh, Charmy Kaur.
Who are the main cast members of iSmart Shankar?▾
iSmart Shankar stars Ram Pothineni, Nidhhi Agerwal, Satyadev Kancharana.
What is the Tollybo rating for iSmart Shankar?▾
Tollybo rates iSmart Shankar 3/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT.
Who composed the music for iSmart Shankar?▾
Music for iSmart Shankar composed by Mani Sharma.
What is the genre and runtime of iSmart Shankar?▾
iSmart Shankar — Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Runtime: 141 minutes, Language: Telugu.