Get ready for some spooky laughs—DD Next Level, the latest chapter in Santhanam’s popular Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise, is now streaming on ZEE5 as of yesterday, June 13, 2025! This Tamil horror-comedy, which also marks the fourth installment in the series, is available in multiple languages, including Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, making it a great weekend watch for fans across South India. You can also catch it on OTTplay Premium if that’s your go-to platform.
Directed by Prem Anand, who previously helmed DD Returns, DD Next Level brings back Santhanam’s signature blend of chills and chuckles. The film hit theaters on May 16, 2025, but had a rocky start, collecting just Rs 2.85 crore on its opening day in India, a far cry from expectations for the franchise. Despite a budget of Rs 20 crore, it managed to recover 46.5% of its cost within the first three days, showing that Santhanam’s fanbase still showed up, even if the numbers weren’t blockbuster-level. Now that it’s on ZEE5, it’s got a fresh chance to win over audiences who might’ve missed it on the big screen.
The Dhilluku Dhuddu series has always been about mixing supernatural scares with slapstick humor, and this one’s no different. Santhanam leads the cast, joined by Geethika Tiwary, Selvaraghavan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Nizhalgal Ravi, Kasthuri, Redin Kingsley, Yashika Anand, and Motta Rajendran, among others. The story throws Santhanam and his family into a wild scenario where they get sucked into a film, and it’s up to him to save the day—and everyone else—from ghosts before the credits roll. There’s even some fun spoof material, like a comical take on Gautham Menon’s Kaakha Kaakha song and a nod to the Jailer sequel, which should get a laugh out of fans who love those references.
I’m a bit torn on this one, though. On one hand, the franchise has a loyal following for a reason—Santhanam’s comic timing is usually spot-on, and the horror-comedy mix can be a blast when it works. If you’ve enjoyed the earlier films like Dhilluku Dhuddu, Dhilluku Dhuddu 2, or DD Returns, you can stream those on OTTplay Premium to get in the mood. But the theatrical run for DD Next Level didn’t exactly set the world on fire, and some early feedback wasn’t kind, with a few calling out the film for lacking standout scenes. The series has always leaned on its chaotic energy, but I’m curious if this installment can bring something fresh to the table or if it’s just more of the same.
With the film now on ZEE5, it’s the perfect time to check it out for yourself. Horror-comedies can be tricky to pull off, but when they work, they’re a total riot—giving you goosebumps one minute and making you laugh the next. Whether DD Next Level lives up to the franchise’s reputation or falls flat, you’ve got a chance to stream it in your preferred language and decide. So, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and dive into Santhanam’s latest spooky adventure this weekend!
Source: OTTPlay