Santhanam's 'DD Next Level' lands in controversy days before release

Time of India

13-05-2025

Actor Santhanam's upcoming film '
DD Next Level
' is facing unexpected trouble just days before its scheduled release on May 16. The movie is directed by
Prem Anand
, who previously collaborated with
Santhanam
for the successful horror-comedy 'DD Returns'. That film featured a cast including Surbhi, Redin Kingsley, 'Lollu Sabha' Maaran, and Motta Rajendran, and was well-received by audiences. Riding on its success, the sequel 'DD Next Level' was created with heightened expectations.
Star-studded cast and viral first single raise buzz
This new installment sees Santhanam sharing screen space with several popular actors, including Gautham Vasudev Menon and Selvaraghavan. The film continues the horror-comedy genre and features music composed by Afro. Recently, the first single from the film, titled 'Kissa 47,' was released and quickly garnered attention, collecting over 9 million views. The song, written by Gautami, is designed to reflect Santhanam's role as a film critic, featuring witty and humorous lines.
Devotional lyric reference sparks religious backlash
However, the track has now stirred controversy. As per a report from News 18, the lyrics of '
Kissa 47
' include lines from the devotional song 'Govinda Govinda,' associated with Lord Perumal. Some have found this inclusion disrespectful. BJP-backed lawyers filed a complaint at the Salem City Police Commissioner's office, alleging that the song hurts religious sentiments and insults Lord Perumal. They demanded that the film be banned and that action be taken against Santhanam.
Complaint filed as release date nears, uncertainty looms
With only three days left until release, this issue has created a setback for the film's team. While the makers haven't issued an official response yet, the controversy has drawn significant attention from the public and the media. Whether the film's release will be impacted remains to be seen, but the buzz, both positive and critical, has certainly intensified around 'DD Next Level.'