Director Prem Anand Interview: DD Next Level will bring the pei out of the bungalow
Prem Anand attributes his flair in writing to Santhanam, and the works of late author Indira Soundarajan, whom he calls his mentor. "Indira sir has a huge influence on my writing. His works are a reason for me to make my directorial debut with a horror subject. I consult him on supernatural elements. And I give it my Lollu Sabha twist and derive humour from scary situations. Even for DD Next Level, I took his advice at every step. More than the horror, he would also fine-tune spaces that evoke humour. His demise is a personal loss for me. DD Next Level will be a tribute to him," he remarks while calling Syd Field's Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting his manual for screenplay writing. "When I switched from a comedy track writer to a full-fledged screenwriter and director, his book came in handy. I learnt everything necessary for my transition, right from the basic three-act structure to other screenplay devices. You can come up with an interesting line, but it cannot be used if you aren't aware of the structure," he adds.
Discussing the unique set of challenges that come in writing a successful horror comedy, Prem Anand points out that getting stuck in stereotypes can be the biggest issue. "Trying to defy a genre's norms will bring out exciting things. With DD Returns, I wanted to remove the possession, priest and exorcism trope atypical to the genre and create a game-show setup hosted by a ghost family. Despite the innovation, we couldn't resist setting the story against a bungalow backdrop, which is also an overused element. With DD Next Level, we wanted to break free from that as well. So with this film, we are bringing the pei out of the bungalow. Why can't ghosts roam around freely? Why should it be tied to a building? This will give the genre a fresh makeover," says Prem Anand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Horror and hilarity comes together with ‘Devil's Double: Next Level' premiering June 13
ZEE5 is set to deliver a spine-chilling yet hilarious treat this June with Devil's Double: Next Level (DD Next Level), the fourth installment of the popular Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. This supernatural horror comedy will premiere globally on June 13 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Directed by S. Prem Anand, the film stars Santhanam in a creatively quirky role, alongside Selvaraghavan, Gautam Vasudev Menon, and Geetika Tiwary. Jointly produced by The Show People and Niharika Entertainment, the film takes audiences on a unique cinematic journey filled with meta-humour, eerie thrills, and laugh-out-loud moments. The plot follows Kissa, a sharp-tongued film reviewer, who attends a mysterious private screening only to find himself sucked into the film's narrative. Guided by a magical diary written by an eccentric filmmaker (played by Selvaraghavan), Kissa must navigate bizarre horror tropes, decode riddles, and face ghostly challenges—all while trying to survive and escape. ZEE5's Lloyd C Xavier said, 'This film perfectly blends humor with horror, reflecting our commitment to powerful and engaging regional storytelling.' Director S. Prem Anand described the film as a 'genre-bending, fourth-wall-breaking madness' made possible by a stellar cast and production team. Santhanam called Kissa 'a creatively satisfying role,' and teased a 'wild, popcorn-worthy ride.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
When are where to watch Santhanam and Selvaraghavan's ‘Devil's Double: Next Level'
The wait is finally over for fans of supernatural comedy! Devil's Double: Next Level, also known as DD Next Level, is all set for OTT premiere exclusively on ZEE5 on June 13. The film will be available for streaming in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, bringing its unique brand of horror-comedy to a wide South Indian audience. Directed by S. Prem Anand, the film marks the fourth instalment in the cult-favorite Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. Known for its signature mix of horror, slapstick, and satire, the series continues to be a fan favourite, with Santhanam once again taking center stage in his iconic comedic style. He is joined by an unexpected ensemble cast that includes Selvaraghavan , Gautham Vasudev Menon , and Geethika Tiwary. The story follows Kissa (Santhanam), a caustic film reviewer who receives an exclusive invite from eccentric filmmaker Hitchcock Irudhayaraj (Selvaraghavan) for a private screening. However, the evening takes a bizarre turn when Kissa gets literally pulled into the movie, a haunted, ghost-infested cruise ship with sinister secrets. Trapped inside a cursed cinematic world, Kissa must navigate through eerie encounters, decode clues from a magical diary, and face off against spectral versions of his girlfriend and rival critics all while delivering his trademark sarcasm. The result is a madcap, meta-horror comedy that parodies everything from film criticism to genre clichés. With its clever twists, rib-tickling gags, and references for movie buffs, Devil's Double: Next Level promises a next-level ride for fans of experimental storytelling and genre mashups.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Devil's Double Next Level OTT release date confirmed: Where and when to watch Santhanam's latest horror-comedy?
Santhanam's latest horror-comedy, Devil's Double Next Level, is gearing up for its digital debut. The film, which hit theaters on May 16, will begin streaming on ZEE5 starting June 13. The platform confirmed the news through a social media post, teasing the film as a meta-horror experience with a comedic twist. Directed by Prem Anand, the movie marks Santhanam's return after a year-long gap and serves as the fourth installment in the popular Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. Despite a strong opening, the film faced criticism for its inconsistent humor and lack of cohesive storytelling, leading to a disappointing box office performance. Devil's Double Next Level Plot Overview The story follows Krishnamoorthy, nicknamed "Kissa 47" (Santhanam), a sarcastic film critic known for tearing apart horror movies. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is invited to a private screening by an enigmatic filmmaker, Hitchcock Irudhayaraj (Selvaraghavan). What begins as a promotional event quickly spirals into chaos as Kissa and other attendees find themselves trapped inside the movie—a cursed horror flick set on a haunted cruise ship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dental Implant Gauripur Cost Might Be More Affordable Than Ever! Dental implant | Search Ads Learn More Undo Forced to navigate supernatural threats and absurd cinematic tropes, Kissa must rely on his wit to survive. The narrative blends self-aware humor with horror elements, parodying genre clichés while exploring themes of artistic criticism and accountability. Cast and Production Details Produced by Arya's The Show People and Niharika Entertainment, the film boasts a star-studded supporting cast, including Gautham Vasudev Menon, Geethika Tiwary, Yashika Aannand, and Nizhalgal Ravi. The technical crew features music by OfRo, cinematography by Deepak Kumar Padhy, and editing by Bharath Vikraman. Santhanam shared insights into Arya's involvement, recalling how the producer initially hesitated upon learning the film's supernatural premise. Despite creative disagreements and budget concerns, Arya backed the project fully, making it the highest-budget film in Santhanam's career. Multilingual Streaming and Reception Devil's Double Next Level will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, catering to a wider audience. While the film attempts a fresh take on horror-comedy with meta-commentary, its theatrical run was marred by mixed reviews. Critics noted its uneven tone, torn between satire and slapstick, ultimately failing to satisfy either genre entirely.
