A 2025 Tamil comedy-drama film
A heartwarming tale of refuge,
family, and human compassion.
Directed by Abishan Jeevinth in his debut,
this film explores the journey of a Sri Lankan Tamil family seeking a better future.
Tourist Family is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by Abishan Jeevinth in his directorial debut. The film is produced by Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment, featuring an ensemble cast led by M. Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, and Kamalesh Jagan.
The film grossed approximately ₹90 crore (US$11 million) worldwide, becoming the seventh highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 and the second most profitable Indian film of 2025.
The story follows a Sri Lankan Tamil family who, following the Sri Lankan economic crisis, arrive in India in search of a better future. Principal photography took place primarily in Chennai over 35 working days, concluding in early January 2025.
The film features music composed by Sean Roldan, cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan, and editing by Barath Vikraman. Tourist Family premiered on 29 April 2025 and received theatrical release on 1 May 2025, earning widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and original score.
Following the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a Tamil family of four—Dharmadas "Das", his wife Vasanthi, and their two sons Nithushan "Nithu" and Murali "Mulli"—flee their native home in Jaffna and seek refuge in India via Rameswaram with assistance from Vasanthi's brother Prakash.
Upon entering the country, police constables led by A. Bhairavan initially apprehend the family but release them. The boys emotionally appeal to Bhairavan's compassion by showing him a puppy they found on the shore, presenting it as their pet. The family then relocates to Kesava Nagar Colony in Chennai, where Das and Vasanthi hide their identities as Sri Lankans, passing themselves off as Malayalis to their landlord, Inspector Raghavan.
Das secures temporary employment as a driver for neighbor Richard. Despite warnings from Prakash to maintain a low profile due to their distinct dialect, Das and Vasanthi grow closer to their neighbors. Vasanthi befriends elderly neighbor Mangaiyarkarasi and her husband Gunasekar.
Meanwhile, a bomb blast in Rameswaram occurs, and ruthless ACP Balwan Singh takes up the investigation. Bhairavan's associates want to reveal Das and his family's identity to Balwan Singh, possessing CCTV footage showing Das disposing of waste near the blast site. However, Bhairavan, who has come to like the family, prevents his colleagues from revealing their location to Balwan.
During this time, Nithu mistakenly apprehends Kural's unfaithful boyfriend, helping her discover his infidelity. Nithu opens up about his frustrations regarding leaving Sri Lanka and his father's decision. Father and son eventually reconcile after understanding each other's perspectives. Richard terminates Das's job but reappoints him upon learning his true Sri Lankan identity. Kural develops feelings for Nithu, and they grow closer.
When Mangaiyarkarasi dies from shock following her husband's unexpected death, Das rallies the entire neighborhood to attend her funeral. At the service, a reformed youth—previously considered troublesome—speaks emotionally about how Das inadvertently saved his life during his darkest moment with suicidal thoughts. The neighborhood learns Das and his family's true identity as Sri Lankan refugees, embracing them warmly.
When Balwan Singh's team arrives conducting house-to-house searches, Bhairavan claims they are not the family he met in Rameswaram. Frustrated and facing an arrest warrant when his suspect dies, Balwan Singh departs abruptly. Bhairavan reveals that the entire neighborhood refused to disclose Das's family's true identity, with residents even speaking in the Sri Lankan Tamil dialect to help them escape. This act of solidarity profoundly moves Bhairavan, fostering newfound respect for Das and his family.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| M. Sasikumar | Dharmadas "Das" |
| Simran | Vasanthi, Das' wife |
| Yogi Babu | Prakash, Vasanthi's brother |
| Mithun Jai Sankar | Nithushan "Nithu", Das' eldest son |
| Kamalesh Jagan | Murali "Mulli", Das' youngest son |
| Ramesh Thilak | A. Bhairavan |
| M. S. Bhaskar | Richard |
| Elango Kumaravel | Gunasekar |
| Sreeja Ravi | Mangaiyarkarasi |
| Bagavathi Perumal | Inspector R. Raghavan |
| Ramkumar Prasanna | ACP R. Balwan Singh IPS |
On 28 September 2024, Million Dollar Studios announced an untitled project written and directed by Abishan Jeevinth in his directorial debut, scheduled to begin filming in October. The film was jointly produced by Nazerath Pasilian, Magesh Raj Pasilian, and Yuvaraj Ganesan under Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment banners.
Director Abishan selected M. Sasikumar for the lead role, believing he possessed the innocence required for the character. He cast Simran based on his appreciation of her handling of comedic elements. Principal photography took place on a set erected in Chennai in a single schedule spanning 35 working days and wrapped on 2 January 2025.
The official title Tourist Family was announced on 6 December 2024. On 14 December 2024, it was announced that the dubbing process had begun and was simultaneously in the post-production stage.
The production prioritized authenticity in portraying the lives of Sri Lankan refugee families in India. The Chennai-based filming locations provided real urban environments where much of the story unfolds. The filmmakers focused on capturing the genuine emotions of displacement, family bonds, and community solidarity.
The soundtrack and background score were composed by Sean Roldan and released on April 23, 2025. All lyrics were written by Mohan Rajan. The soundtrack comprises seven tracks with a total length of 25 minutes and 49 seconds.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aachaley | Sean Roldan | 3:25 |
| 2 | Vaazhndhu Paaru | S. P. Charan | 3:38 |
| 3 | Iragey | Vijay Yesudas | 3:43 |
| 4 | Iragey Reprise | Venkatramanan | 3:23 |
| 5 | Mugai Mazhai | Sean Roldan, Saindhavi | 3:51 |
| 6 | Maname | Manoj Krishna, Sean Roldan | 3:24 |
| 7 | Ore Vaanam | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Meha Agarwal | 4:25 |
| Total Duration | 25:49 | ||
The soundtrack is available on Think Music label and has been well-received for its emotional depth and artistic quality, with critics particularly praising Sean Roldan's compositions.
Tourist Family premiered on 29 April 2025 and received theatrical release on 1 May 2025. The film made a notable international achievement by becoming the first small-budget Tamil film to be screened in Superscreen in the United Kingdom.
On its opening day, the film grossed ₹2 crore (US$240,000) domestically. By the fourth day of release, it emerged as the highest-grossing film of Sasikumar's overseas career. At the end of the first week, Tourist Family had earned ₹23 crore (US$2.7 million) worldwide. By mid-May, the film had crossed ₹50 crore (US$5.9 million) worldwide.
The film began streaming on JioHotstar from 2 June 2025, making it accessible to audiences unable to view it theatrically.
Tourist Family released alongside competing films including Retro, Raid 2, and HIT: The Third Case. Despite facing competition from multiple releases, the film maintained strong audience appeal and consistent box office performance.
Tourist Family earned approximately ₹90 crore (US$11 million) worldwide against a production budget of ₹7 crore (US$830,000).
According to Box Office Mojo, Tourist Family earned around ₹4.7 crore (US$560,000) from international markets including Norway, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The film's exceptional profitability—with earnings representing approximately 1200% profit margin—earned it recognition as the most profitable Indian film of 2025 given its modest budget.
The film's strong performance demonstrated audience appreciation for authentic storytelling and meaningful narratives over high-budget spectacle productions.
Tourist Family received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for Abishan Jeevinth's directorial debut, Sean Roldan's evocative score, and the ensemble cast's performances.
Anusha Sundar (OTTPlay) gave 3.5/5 stars: "Director Abishan Jeevinth skillfully explores themes of humanity and connection amid adversity, showcasing a diverse ensemble cast that delivers impactful performances."
Avinash Ramachandran (The Indian Express) gave 3.5/5 stars: "The Sasikumar-Simran starrer scores heavily on the humour front, and these moments also make you think of how willing audiences are just to forget everything and laugh with a film that also makes them think a lot."
Jayabhuvaneshwari B (Cinema Express) gave 3.5/5 stars: "A deceptively light film that juggles grief, humour, and warmth in equal measure, powered by Sasikumar's deeply humane performance and a cast that embodies the messy goodness of everyday people."
Latha Srinivasan (Hindustan Times) gave 3.5/5 stars: "Tourist Family is a wonderful tale from Abishan Jeevinth which reiterates, yet again, that one must love one's neighbour and humanity above all."
Srinivasa Ramanujam (The Hindu) wrote: "In a cinema dominated by loud guns and mushy romances, 'Tourist Family' comes as a breath of fresh air."
The film's universal acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling, cultural authenticity, and humanistic themes established it as a significant contribution to contemporary Tamil cinema.
This comprehensive film guide provides detailed information about Tourist Family, a 2025 Tamil cinema production. Information includes plot synopsis, cast and crew details, production background, soundtrack information, box office performance, and critical reception. For additional viewing information, current streaming availability, or detailed reviews, consult official film databases and entertainment publications.