Devil's Double Next Level

Krishnamoorty "Kissa" is a sharp-tongued YouTube film reviewer known for his brutally honest critiques. One day, he receives an invitation from Hitchcock Iruthyaraj, a mysterious filmmaker, to attend a private screening of his latest horror-comedy film, DD Next Level. Kissa, thinking it’s just another publicity stunt, agrees to go—bringing along his family and girlfriend, Aasai Harshini.

However, as soon as the screening begins, Kissa who initially goes alone to the theatre finds that he is all alone. He fishes something wrong and immediately exits the gate and rushes to home.however he is informed that his family have already went to the theatre without kissa's knowledge. Kissa immediately rushes back to the theatre only to find his family find sucked into the movie itself. He is also followed to the theatre secretly by two other youtube film review channel people veen pechu babu and veen pechu mani. They somehow learns about kissa's pass and they too want to witness the special screening.The hall door of the theatre closes and all the three wake up inside a haunted cruise ship, where the passengers—including Kissa’s own family—no longer recognize him. Hitchcock appears as a ghostly figure and reveals the terrifying truth: they can only escape if they survive until the end credits roll.

As Kissa navigates the eerie ship, he realizes that the film is a twisted revenge story—Hitchcock was once a failed filmmaker who was ridiculed by critics, and now he seeks vengeance by trapping them inside his cursed film. Kissa must outsmart the supernatural forces, solve cryptic puzzles, and battle terrifying ghosts, including his own girlfriend, who has transformed into a vengeful spirit.

The film takes a meta approach, poking fun at Tamil cinema tropes, film criticism, and the horror genre itself. As Kissa fights to escape, he begins to question the ethics of film reviewing—is criticism justifiable, or does it destroy the dreams of creators?

The climax unfolds in a mind-bending sequence, where Kissa must rewrite the film’s ending to ensure his survival. But will he succeed, or will he become just another forgotten character in Hitchcock’s cursed movie?

• Santhanam as Krishnamoorty "Kissa"
• Selvaraghavan as "Hitchcock" Iruthyaraj
• Gautham Vasudev Menon as Raghavan
• Geethika Tiwary in a dual role as
• Aasai Harshini, Kissa's girlfriend
• Jessica Sebastian, a vengeful spirit
• Nizhalgal Ravi in a dual role as
• Captain Mc Donald
• Auto Baskar, Kissa's father
• Kasthuri Shankar in a dual role as
• Devaki, Kissa's mother
• Shilpa,
• Yashika Aannand in a dual role as
• Devi, Kissa's younger sister
• Maya, the film's female lead
• Rajendran as "Veen Pechu" Babu
• Lollu Sabha Maaran as "All Language" Arumugam
• Redin Kingsley as Gopal

In 2024, Arya and Santhanam announced the sequel of DD Returns (2023) on 7 July 2024, written and directed by S. Prem Anand.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-08 |title=Santhanam's 'DD Returns' gets a sequel; Arya to present film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/santhanams-dd-returns-gets-a-sequel-arya-to-present-film/article68380595.ece |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=5 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205005130/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/santhanams-dd-returns-gets-a-sequel-arya-to-present-film/article68380595.ece |url-status=live }} The film is produced by Venkat Boyanapalli under his Niharika Entertainment and presented by Arya under his The Show People banner.{{Cite web |title=DD Next Level update: Santhanam's horror comedy wraps filming {{!}} See pics |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/dd-next-level-update-santhanams-horror-comedy-wraps-filming-see-pics/de7fbe3e0f105 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}} The film was officially announced on 20 January 2025, titled as DD Next Level.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-22 |title=Santhanam's 'DD Returns' gets a sequel, title and first look revealed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/santhanams-dd-returns-gets-a-sequel-title-and-first-look-revealed/articleshow/117448614.cms |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=12 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212053618/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/santhanams-dd-returns-gets-a-sequel-title-and-first-look-revealed/articleshow/117448614.cms |url-status=live }} The film also stars Gautham Vasudev Menon, Selvaraghavan,{{Cite web |last=M |first=Narayani |date=2025-01-20 |title=Santhanam, Selvaraghavan, Gautham Vasudev Menon to join hands for DD Next Level |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jan/20/santhanam-selvaraghavan-gautham-vasudev-menon-to-join-hands-for-dd-next-level |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} Geethika Tiwary, Yashika Aannand, Kasthuri Shankar,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title="டிடி நெக்ஸ்ட் லெவல்" - கஸ்தூரியின் கதாபாத்திர அறிமுக போஸ்டர் வெளியீடு |url=https://www.dailythanthi.com/cinema/cinemanews/devils-double-nextlevel-character-intro-in-kasthuri-as-devaki-shilpa-1157330 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Dina Thanthi |language=ta}} Nizhalgal Ravi,{{Cite web |date=2025-05-13 |title="டிடி நெக்ஸ்ட் லெவல்" - நிழல்கள் ரவியின் கதாபாத்திர அறிமுக போஸ்டர் வெளியீடு |url=https://www.dailythanthi.com/cinema/cinemanews/dd-next-level-nizhalgal-ravis-character-introduction-poster-released-1157675 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Dina Thanthi |language=ta}} Maaran and Rajendran in key roles.{{Cite web |title=After Madha Gaja Raja success, Santhanam unveils DD Next Level first look; to release in May |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/after-madha-gaja-raja-success-santhanam-unveils-dd-next-level-first-look-to-release-in-may/a1a52fc2ca864 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}} The technical team consists of music composed by OfRo, cinematography by Dipak Kumar Padhy, editing by Bharath Vikraman{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-02-22 |title=First single from Santhanam's DD Next Level to be unveiled on this date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Feb/22/first-single-from-santhanams-dd-next-level-to-be-unveiled-on-this-date#google_vignette |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} and art direction by AR Mohan.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-08 |title=Story Of Santhanam's DD Returns Sequel Takes Place On An Island! |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/story-of-santhanams-dd-returns-sequel-takes-place-on-an-island-article-111570539 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Times Now |language=en}} In 28 April 2025, during the trailer announcement, the film's title was revealed to be Devil's Double Next Level.{{Cite news |title=DD Next Level trailer drops on this date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Apr/28/dd-next-level-trailer-drops-on-this-date |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=Cinema Express }}{{Cite news |date=2025-04-30 |title=‘Devil’s Double Next Level’ trailer: Santhanam is a film critic stuck inside a quirky horror film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/devils-double-next-level-trailer-santhanam-dd-next-level-dhillukku-dhuddu/article69508714.ece |access-date=2025-04-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Principal photography began in early-July 2024 and was wrapped on January 2025.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-29 |title=Shooting of Santhanam-starrer DD Next Level wrapped up; Film to release in May this year |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/shooting-of-santhanam-starrer-dd-next-level-wrapped-up-film-to-release-in-may-this-year/articleshow/117671943.cms |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-01-29 |title=It's a wrap for DD Next Level |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jan/29/its-a-wrap-for-dd-next-level |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} On 13 February 2025, it was officially announced that the dubbing process had begun.{{Cite news |date=2025-02-14 |title=Santhanam starts dubbing for 'DD Next Level' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/santhanam-starts-dubbing-for-dd-next-level/articleshow/118245785.cms |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Devil's Double Next Level

| type = soundtrack

| artist = OfRo

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| language = Tamil

| label = Think Music

| producer = OfRo

| prev_title = Rebel

| prev_year = 2024

| year = 2025

| misc = {{Singles

|name = Devil's Double Next Level

|type = soundtrack

|single1 = Kissa 47

|single1date = 26 February 2025

|single2 = Cinemakaran

|single2date = 4 May 2025}}

}}

The soundtrack and background is composed by OfRo{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=2024-07-11 |title=Horror, humour, and an island seen in Santhanam & Arya's next |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2024/Jul/11/horror-humour-and-an-island-3 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} in his second collaboration with Santhanam and S. Prem Anand after DD Returns (2023). The first single "Kissa 47" was released on 26 February 2025.{{Cite web |last=ganesh.perumal |title=சந்தானத்தின் டிடி நெக்ஸ்ட் லெவல் படத்தின் மெர்சலான 'கிஸா 47' பாட்டு வந்தாச்சு |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/video/cinema/santhanam-starrer-dd-next-level-movie-kissa-47-song-released-gan-ssa1cw |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Asianet News Tamil |language=ta}} The second single "Cinemakaran" was released on 4 May 2025.

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Kissa 47

| length1 = 3:07

| lyrics1 = Kelithee

| extra1 = OfRo

| title2 = Cinemakaran

| length2 = 2:22

| lyrics2 = Thamizh Aadhavan

| extra2 = Vangal Pulla Vicky

}}

The film's trailer was released on 30 April 2025.{{Cite news |title=Devil's Double Next Level - Official Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/tamil/devils-double-next-level-official-trailer/amp_videoshow/120754317.cms |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}

Devil's Double Next Level was released theatrically on 16 May 2025.{{Cite web |title=DD Next Level release date out: Santhanam's film to hit theatres for summer |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/dd-next-level-release-date-out-santhanams-film-to-hit-theatres-for-summer/6b81e88015632 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}

The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were acquired by ZEE5 on June 13, 2025.{{cite web|title=DD Next Level On OTT: When And Where To Watch The Horror Comedy |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/dd-next-level-on-ott-when-and-where-to-watch-the-horror-comedy-aa-9340210.html |date= 16 May 2025 |website=News 18 |access-date=1 June 2025}}

Akshay Kumar of Cinema Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Self-awareness is the biggest strength of DD Next Level and it is also a risk taken by the director.[...] The screenplay is largely breezing through one humour trope after the other. There are well-written, enjoyable and elaborate sequences that effectively overshadow the wafer-thin plotline of the story."{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akshay |date=2025-05-16 |title=DD Next Level Movie Review: Surface-level storytelling helped by next-level jokes |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2025/May/16/dd-next-level-movie-review-surface-level-storytelling-helped-by-next-level-jokes |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India rated with 2/5 stars and wrote "When the most memorable parts of your comedy are the awkward silences where the jokes were supposed to be, it’s a clear sign that the script might have needed a few more levels of refinement."{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Abhinav |date=16 May 2025 |title=Devil's Double Next Level Movie Review: Trapped in a punchline purgatory |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/devils-double-next-level/movie-review/121206330.cms |website=The Times of India}} Janani K of India Today rated with 2/5 stars and wrote "Barring a few fun gags, the film is replete with outdated fart jokes."{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=16 May 2025 |title=DD Next Level review: Few gags aside, Santhanam's film is mostly torture |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/showbuzz/reviews/story/dd-next-level-review-santhanam-prem-anand-gautham-menon-dhilluku-dhuddu-2725776-2025-05-16 |website=India Today}} Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times rated with 1/5 stars and wrote "Fails to capitalise on its unique premise of film reviewers, devolving into a confusing mix of horror and comedy."{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=16 May 2025 |title=Devil’s Double Next Level movie review: Starring Santhanam, this meta horror comedy is an excruciating watch |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/devils-double-next-level-movie-review-starring-santhanam-this-meta-horror-comedy-is-an-excruciating-watch-101747394886122.html |website=Hindustan Times}}

The makers took down the "Srinivasa Govinda" and "Govind Govinda" chants from the "Kissa 47" song after receiving criticism and condemnations for their inclusion in the song. Earlier, Santhanam and Niharika Entertainments received a defamation notice from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams member Bhanuprakash Reddy, who demanded that the song be taken down or that they pay {{INRConvert|100|c}} in damages.{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-05-15 |title=DD Next Level: 'Govinda, Govinda' track from 'Kissa 47' song removed following backlash |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/May/15/dd-next-level-govinda-govinda-track-from-kissa-47-song-removed-following-backlash |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}} Furthermore, Kiran Royal, the in-charge of the Janasena Party, filed a complaint against the filmmakers with the Tirupati One Town Police Station, claiming that they had offended Hindu feelings and harmed the deity's reputation. In order to emphasize the broad opposition, the party also asked Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the leader of the Tamil Nadu opposition, for support.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-15 |title=Controversial 'Govinda… Govinda…' song from Santhanam's 'DD Next Level' removed amid protests |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/controversial-govinda-govinda-song-from-santhanams-dd-next-level-removed-amid-protests/articleshow/121182040.cms |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|id=tt32864330}}

Category:2020s Indian films

Category:2020s Tamil-language films

Category:2025 films

Category:Indian comedy horror films

Category:Indian sequel films

Category:Tamil-language horror films

Category:Tamil-language comedy horror films

Category:Self-reflexive films