film on X, the entire industry—and audience—took notice. But what was this movie that made India’s most celebrated director call it the best cinematic experience he’s had in years? The answer:
Tourist Family, a heartwarming entertainer that’s taken
Tamil cinema by storm.Directed by debutant Abishan Jeevinth, Tourist Family has turned into a surprise blockbuster, raking in over Rs 50 crore at the box office despite releasing alongside heavyweight titles like Suriya’s Retro and Nani’s Hit: The Third Case. But its biggest moment came when none other than S.S. Rajamouli took to social media and gushed about the film.
“Heartwarming and packed with rib-tickling humor,” Rajamouli wrote in his glowing review, calling the film “a wonderful, wonderful cinematic experience” and praising Abishan’s writing and direction. “Don’t miss it,” he urged his followers—words that instantly catapulted the film to national attention.
— ssrajamouli (@ssrajamouli) For Abishan Jeevinth, the recognition was surreal. Still reeling from the surprise, he responded emotionally, expressing disbelief that the same man whose films had inspired him would one day praise his work. “You’ve made this boy’s dream larger than life,” the young director said in an X post.
— Abishanjeevinth (@Abishanjeevinth)
Prior to this, Tamil cinema’s biggest icons—Rajinikanth and Dhanush—also hailed Tourist Family as a triumph in storytelling. The film, made on a modest budget, has proven that content truly is king, outshining big-banner competitors with its relatable characters and emotional depth.
Starring Sasikumar and Simran in lead roles, Tourist Family is a feel-good
family entertainer that blends laughter, drama, and heartfelt moments. The ensemble cast also includes Yogi Babu, Mithun Jayashankar, M.S. Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, and Sreeja Ravi. With music by Shaan Rahman and cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan, the film has been praised not just for its story, but for its vibrant aesthetic and tight editing by Bharath Vikraman. The movie is produced by Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment, and backed by Nasareth Baslian, Mahesh Raj Baslian, and Yuvaraj Ganesan.
