In an industry long dominated by seasoned veterans, debutant director Abishan Jeevinth has carved an extraordinary path for himself with his powerful directorial debut, Tourist Family. Chronicling the emotional and gripping journey of a Sri Lankan refugee family seeking a new beginning in India, the film has not only struck a deep chord with audiences but has also emerged as a box office triumph.

Set against the backdrop of cross-border displacement, Tourist Family tells the story of a family’s dangerous voyage across the sea and their fight for survival in unfamiliar terrain. It is a poignant tale of hope, resilience, and the human spirit rendered with emotional depth and socio-political relevance. Featuring a stellar cast including Sasikumar, Simran, Yogi Babu, and MS Bhaskar, the film delivers powerful performances that resonate deeply with viewers across generations.

What makes this cinematic success all the more compelling is the story behind its creator. Hailing from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Abishan Jeevinth comes from a non-film background. A graduate in Visual Communication from Loyola College, Chennai, Abishan’s journey began modestly creating content on his YouTube channel Thug Lightu, known for its raw honesty and relatability.

He honed his skills through independent short films such as DOPE (2019) and Nodigal Pirakatha, steadily building a reputation for compelling, grounded storytelling. Despite facing significant hurdles, including a shelved project during the COVID-19 pandemic, Abishan remained undeterred.

Channelling his experiences and artistic growth, he developed Tourist Family, a narrative inspired in part by Kamal Haasan’s Thenali, yet entirely unique in its modern-day portrayal of refugee lives in India. Tourist Family has been met with both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film’s reach has been further magnified by endorsements from celebrated figures like Rajinikanth, Dhanush, SS Rajamouli, and Suriya, adding to its growing momentum.

Abishan Jeevinth’s journey from small-town roots to box office glory is a great milestone, where new voices are not just being heard, but celebrated.

Source / Image Credit : News 18 , Filmibeat