DD Returns

DD Returns (expansion Dare Demons Returns) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language comedy horror film written and directed by debutant S. Prem Anand, produced by C Ramesh Kumar under RK Entertainment. The film stars an ensemble cast with Santhanam and Surbhi in the lead roles and Redin Kingsley, Maaran and Pradeep Rawat in supporting roles. The film is a stand-alone sequel to Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 and the third film in the Dhilluku Dhuddu film series. The music is composed by OfRo, with the cinematography and editing handled by Dipak Kumar Padhy and N. B. Srikanth. The film was released theatrically on 28 July 2023. It received positive reviews from critics and became commercially successful at the box office.

Production
In mid-2019, Rambhala announced his intentions of making a third part to his Dhilluku Dhuddu film series featuring Santhanam in the lead role and was referred to as Dhilluku Dhuddu 3 during production. The film was reported to be shot in 3D and expected to be produced by Chowdhary of 18 Reels Entertainment. Following a period of stagnation, Rambhala's assistant Prem Anand took over as the project director in early 2022, following creative differences between the director and Santhanam. The film subsequently marked the second project of Prem Anand, who had earlier worked with Santhanam on the comedy series Lollu Sabha and had co-directed the film Inimey Ippadithan (2015).

Actresses Surbhi and Masoom Shankar joined the film's shoot, as did Pradeep Rawat, with scenes shot across Chennai and Pondicherry. Production on the untitled film took place throughout 2022, with the project completed by December 2022. The title of the film was publicly revealed as DD Returns in April 2023.

A song was shot on Sri Lanka.

Music
The film's music is composed by OfRo in his maiden collaboration with Santhanam and Prem.

Theatrical release
DD Returns was released theatrically on 28 July 2023.

Home Media
The streaming rights of the film were acquired by ZEE5 and the film had its worldwide streaming release on 1 September 2023.

Reception
Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Except for the first few minutes, the film is undoubtedly a fun ride for movie lovers looking for a clean entertainer for the weekend." Pechi Aavudaiyappan of ABP Live Tamil gave the film a positive review and noted that Santhanam gave another hit film with this horror comedy film.