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News18
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
DD Next Level X Reviews: Fans Say Comedian Santhanam Back In Form
Santhanam's DD Next Level, also known as Devil's Double Next, directed by Prem Anand, premiered in theatres on May 16. This horror comedy is a sequel to DD Returns and the fourth entry in the Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. The film, which stars Santhanam as the lead, has received favourable reviews from the audience. X users are particularly impressed with this one-of-a-kind horror comedy film. DD Next Level depicts the life of Krishna, also known as Kissa 47, a prominent YouTube film reviewer portrayed by Santhanam. One day, he and his family are invited to a special film screening. However, Krishna notices something unusual about the setting and decides to leave. To his surprise, he discovers that his family has already entered and is seated in the theatre. Things take a weird turn as Krishna is drawn into the film itself. Inside the film, he realises that his family members are playing the characters. As the story progresses, he realises that they are all stuck in a ghost story, haunted by the spirit of a failed director, Hitchcock Irudhayaraj, played by Selvaraghavan.
News18
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
DD Next Level On OTT: When And Where To Watch The Horror Comedy
Last Updated: DD Next Level, the fourth film in the Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise, is already earning positive reviews for its horror-comedy blend. Devil's Double Next Level, popularly known as DD Next Level, made its theatrical debut today, May 16, and has already started receiving positive audience reviews. This horror-comedy is the fourth installment in the beloved Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise and serves as a direct sequel to the hit DD Returns. Once again, Santhanam leads the film, delivering the trademark blend of humour, scares and satire that fans have come to love. For those waiting for its digital release, DD Next Level will be available on ZEE5 after its theatrical run. Previous films in the franchise are also streaming on the platform, making it easy for viewers to catch up on earlier chapters. The film's narrative follows Krishna, also known online as Kissa 47, a famous and witty YouTube film reviewer portrayed by Santhanam. Krishna is invited along with his family to an exclusive screening of a mysterious film. However, he quickly senses that something is off about the location and tries to leave. To his shock, he realises his family has already entered the theatre and taken their seats. The story takes a fantastical and chilling twist when Krishna is literally pulled into the film being screened. Once inside, he discovers that his own family members are no longer just viewers but have become part of the film's plot—playing characters in a bizarre ghost story. As Krishna tries to make sense of this surreal situation, he realises they are all trapped in a horror film haunted by the vengeful spirit of a failed filmmaker named Hitchcock Irudhayaraj, a role essayed by Selvaraghavan. With the clock ticking, Krishna must rely on his sharp mind, instincts, and trademark humour to unravel the mystery and free his family from the cursed cinematic world before the movie reaches its final reel. DD Next Level is backed by a strong ensemble cast that includes Geethika, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Redin Kingsley, Motta Rajendran, Yashika Anand, and Maran, in addition to Santhanam and Selvaraghavan. The film is helmed by S. Prem Anand, a frequent collaborator in the Dhilluku Dhuddu universe, and is presented by actor-producer Arya. It is produced under the banner of Niharika Entertainment, with Dipak Kumar Padhy handling the cinematography. The movie blends horror, comedy, and metafiction in a way that adds a fresh twist to the franchise. First Published:
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
DD Next Level breakeven target: How much does Santhanam's Tamil horror comedy need to earn to be profitable? Trade analyst reveals
Santhanam is gearing up for the release of DD Next Level , slated to hit the screens on May 16. The film has created a great deal of buzz among his fans with its intriguing trailer. Moreover, it is the fourth installment of the Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. The film has been shot on a modest budget of Rs 20 crore, which makes it a safe venture for the makers. It, however, still needs to match the performance of the previous instalments of the franchise to emerge as a commercial success. DD Next Level needs to collect Rs 20 crore to be profitable, says trade analyst DD Next Level, one of the most eagerly awaited films of the month, is set to open in theatres tomorrow. According to Ramesh Baa, it needs to gross Rs 20 crore in Tamil Nadu to emerge as a commercial success. 'DD Next Level needs to do around Rs 20 crore crore in Tamil Nadu to emerge as a commercial success. The budget is in the same range. The makers have also earned from the sale of rights. So around Rs 20 crore should see them earn profits,' he told Indiatimes. DD Returns, its prequel, had earned Rs 31 crore (nett) in India during its full run, with a majority of this coming from Tamil Nadu. About DD Next Level DD Next Level is a horror comedy directed by S Prem Kumar. It revolves around a film critic who is pulled into the world of films he made fun of during his career. It features Santhanam and Geethika Tiwari, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Selvaraghavan in the lead. DD Next Level is set to hit the screens on May 16.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Santhanam's 'DD Next Level' lands in controversy days before release
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.'
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
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.
