“Tourist Family”, directed by debutant Abishan Jeevinth, is the kind of film that doesn’t shout for attention but absolutely deserves it.

Starring M Sasikumar, Simran, Yogi Babu, and a stellar supporting cast, this film tells the story of a Sri Lankan Tamil family fleeing their economically ravaged homeland after the pandemic.

With two sons, they brave the ocean and find themselves in Tamil Nadu, India, seeking a better life – albeit while trying to conceal their identity and stay out of trouble.

What begins in fear and uncertainty gradually turns into a touching journey of transformation – not just for themselves, but for the people they encounter.

Their first steps on Indian soil are anything but smooth. The family lands in Rameswaram only to be promptly picked up by the police. But in an unexpected act of kindness, Officer Ramesh (Ramesh Thilak) lets them go (only to cause trouble again later in the film).

At its core, “Tourist Family” is a feel-good dramedy. While the plot might not reinvent the wheel, the way the story is told, is refreshing.

Sasikumar and Simran portray the parents with authenticity, nailing the Sri Lankan Tamil dialect without going overboard, ensuring it’s still accessible to a wider audience. Their performances are understated yet deeply moving.

Yogi Babu plays Prakash, the relative who helps the family navigate Chennai’s chaotic rhythm. He’s the kind of person with a natural helping nature, acting nonchalantly.

After providing furniture for their home, he casually says, “It’s my duty, plus it’s just second-hand furniture”, which brings a laugh.

But the real standouts? The children. Mithun Jai Sankar as the stoic elder brother Nithusan and Kamalesh as the cheeky younger sibling Mulli Das.

Kamalesh is an absolute revelation – his comic timing, expressions, and sheer presence are way beyond his years. Whether it’s dancing awkwardly after a family row to lighten the mood or dropping witty one-liners that catch the adults off guard, Mulli is the soul of the film.

Nithusan, by contrast, is emotionally withdrawn, still grappling with the trauma of being uprooted and forced into a new life. His strained relationship with his father is one of the film’s most poignant threads, with their eventual reconciliation providing one of those lump-in-the-throat moments.

Abishan’s direction leans into emotional whiplash – one moment you’re tearing up, the next you’re laughing out loud. But it never feels jarring. If anything, it mirrors real family dynamics, where chaos and comfort exist side by side.

The screenplay flows seamlessly, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish. The film also features a parallel storyline where an incident in Rameswaram wrongly implicates Sasikumar, adding suspense and tension. The climax twist is brilliantly executed, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Abishan cleverly employs mini twists – like a supposed dog rescue that turns out to be a lie, and a thief who’s actually a secret boyfriend, with yet another twist beneath that.

The pacing of the film is lively and unpredictable. A standout feature is the film’s full-circle moments, where a seemingly simple encounter early on leads to life-altering revelations later.

Sean Roldan’s music is another major win. There’s a certain BGM cue that, once you hear it, you just know: tears are incoming.

And while the film shines with its central cast, kudos must also go to its ensemble – Elango Kumaravel, MS Bhaskar, and the many faces who make up the close-knit Chennai neighbourhood where the family settles. Their warmth and quirks breathe life into the film.

“Tourist Family” delivers more than just entertainment, it offers perspective. In a time when city dwellers barely greet their neighbours or acknowledge strangers on the bus, this family reminds viewers of what’s truly important in life – kindness, community, and the courage to smile through hardship.

So, while “Retro” may be grabbing headlines with its star power and action-packed flair, “Tourist Family” proves that sometimes, the quieter stories are the ones that truly stay with everyone.

As of press time, ‘Tourist Family’ is screening in selected cinemas.