Tamil cinema's new offering, Tourist Family, is a film that beautifully portrays the spirit of humanity, love and togetherness. Directed by Abishan Jeevinth, this is his debut film starring Sasikumar, Simran Mithun, Jai Shankar and Kamalesh in the lead roles. Actors like Yoni Babu, MS Bhaskar and Ramesh Thilak have also played important roles. Released on 1 May 2025, the film has been garnering praise from the audience and critics for its light-hearted story, humour and emotional depth. The film is a fun and emotional journey of 128 minutes, which is perfect for watching with the family.
Plot Synopsis
The story of the film revolves around Dharmadas (Sasikumar), his wife Vasanthathi (Simran) and their two sons Nithu (Mithun Jai Shankar) and Mulli (Kamlesh). Due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the family reaches Rameswaram in India illegally via boat. Though caught by the police, Mulli's innocence and cleverness save them. With the help of Vasanthi's brother Prakash (Yoni Babu), they rent a house in Chennai's Keshav Nagar Colony. Here they try to mingle with the locals, but after a bomb blast, the police suspect the Sri Lankan family and their lives are thrown into turmoil. Will they be able to prove their innocence and will the neighbours support them? This forms the crux of the story.
Performance and humour
Sasikumar has once again proved in the role of Dharmadas that he can play social and emotional characters very well. His simplicity and humanity adds to the heights of the film. Simran has played a strong and lively character as Vasanthi, who holds the family together. The chemistry between the two is natural and heart-warming. Mithun Jai Shankar has portrayed the role of an angry teenager who is angry with his father's decision as Nithu. But the one who impresses the most is Chota Kamalesh, whose Mulli character wins the hearts of the audience with his innocence and humour. His comedic timing and screen presence are the biggest highlights of the film. Yoni Babu has added a tinge of humour in his small but effective role, while co-stars like MS Bhaskar and Ramesh Thilak have also made their characters memorable.
Technical Aspects and Direction
Abhishan Jeevith has presented a balanced and effective story in his debut film itself. His writing and direction is a great blend of light humour and deep emotions. The first half of the film especially highlights humour and family relationships, while the second half is full of emotions and suspense. Some scenes, like Sasikumar's drunken scene and a dance scene of the family, make the audience laugh as well as feel emotional. Though some critics have called the script a bit convenient and overdramatic, the blend of humour and emotions makes it worth watching. Sean Roldan's music further deepens the emotions of the film. Arvind Viswanathan's cinematography brings the Chennai colony to life and Barath Vikraman's editing keeps the story sharp and engaging.
What's special and what's lacking
The biggest strength of Tourist Family is its simplicity and emphasis on humanity. The film keeps the audience engaged without any heavy action or twists. The small differences between Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Tamil, such as language and culture, are presented with humor, which the audience has liked very much. The message of the film that "good happens to those who do good" is depicted very effectively. Mulli's character and his small pranks, like fooling the police by calling a puppy a pet make the film fun. However, the script seems a bit weak at some places, such as the bomb blast subplot and some overdramatic scenes, which weaken the story a bit. Despite this, the light-hearted style and emotional depth of the film make it special.
Audience response
The film has received a lot of positive responses on social media. Audiences have called it a perfect family entertainer, with Sasikumar and Kamalesh's performances being highly appreciated. Some have called it one of the best films of 2025 in Tamil cinema. However, some viewers found it more suitable for OTT and felt the script lacked depth. Still, most people have found it to be the perfect blend of humor and emotions that is ideal for family viewing.
Box Office and Impact
The film has performed brilliantly at the box office and has grossed over Rs 50 crore globally in 11 days. It has become the fifth highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025. The crowds and houseful shows are proof of its popularity.
Rating and Conclusion
Tourist Family is a film that wins the hearts of the audience with its simplicity, humor and message of humanity. It is neither too complex nor too dramatic, but it makes you laugh, cry and think. With the brilliant performances of Sasikumar, Simran and Kamalesh, the balanced direction of Abishan and the melodious music of Sean Roldan, this film is a memorable experience. If you are looking for a light-hearted and heart-warming film, then this is the one for you. Our rating: 3.5/5. This is a film that will make you laugh, cry and believe in humanity.