‘Tourist Family': A necessary dose of positivity
When I first watched Tourist Family, I thought it one of the lovelier films I've seen, but also declared it too-positive-for-me. 'Not enough to write about," I told a friend. Perhaps I was wrong, for Tourist Family has refused to leave my head since.
In writer-director Abishan Jeevinth's debut film, the titular family are immigrant Sri Lankans who find their way to India by sea—illegally. Citing the country's economic crisis as the reason, Dharmadas (Sasikumar) and Vasanthi (Simran) flee Jaffna with their two sons, Nithushan (Mithun Jai Sankar) and Mulli (Kamalesh Jagan). Vasanthi's brother Prakash (Yogi Babu), once an illegal refugee himself, helps them out, from their entry in Rameshwaram to a settlement colony in Chennai.
From the offset, the family's journey is perilously funny, which defines the film's core: yes, life is sad, but you need to be able to laugh at it. Dharmadas (or Das) is a kind man, almost too kind, much to the annoyance of his elder son, who's upset at being torn away from his home. Das' overt consideration for others is ironic, because he's in no position to be charitable and could do with help himself. In contrast, Mulli, the younger son, is an easy adapter and quick thinker. When an inspector detains the family, he manages to get them freed by appealing to the emotional father inside the cop.
The biggest hurdle that Das and his family faced was, in fact, crossing the sea and coming to India. The worst thing that could happen already did. Every other conflict is less Herculean in comparison. However, it is these little problems and events that their world turns around; the dominos which will either hold their life together or cause it to crumble, leading to the only thing worse than leaving their home—going back to it. Slowly and surely, the family forges connections with the people around them. The film initially warns us not to trust anyone, but support and solidarity can be accessed if one takes the time to learn, as Das does. The neighbours, who first seem uninviting and non-inclusive, become their community, they grow to care for the family.
Incidentally, Simran played a mother in another film briefly touching upon the Sri Lankan refugee crisis, Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Language was the centrepiece of conflict and revolution in Sri Lanka; the desire for self-determination fuelled by language is common to many Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils. Although the film is not concerned with this, it is language that provides common ground for the residents to create kinship with the tourist family.
I was at first confused why a North Indian cop, Ramkumar Prasanna's Balwan Singh, is the face of police brutality in a Tamil film. The reasoning seems to be that a Hindi-speaking, non-native would be incapable of sympathising with Sri Lankan Tamils as the natives could. Jeevinth's film uses the very language that is often caricaturized in Hindi films, but as a means of solidarity.
The constant reinforcement of positivity is sometimes tiring but ultimately necessary. The film makes a strong case against increasing cynicism, and argues for taking chances on people even at the risk of being hurt. Care and attention are imperative to rehabilitation. The film shows us how individual actions cause ripples that change what's around us—we affect the world as it affects us.
Despite its overt positivity, Tourist Family is not without melancholy. Das is a troubled man. Leaving one's home and letting go of one's roots is not a small sacrifice. Disrupting your present for the possibility of a better future is not easy. This migration causes friction between the father and the elder son. Nithu is angry at his father, making us wonder if the man has some skeletons in his closet back home.
Though a film about immigrant displacement, prejudice, death and grief, these themes are delicately wrapped in comedy perfectly timed in big and small moments. Perhaps this is the film's biggest win—the characters make you laugh with and at them.
I'm wary of films that are too positive, but this one I've come around to. Every conflict here turns into something that's either laughable or solvable. While that may not always be true in real life, Tourist Family is a much-needed hug in times of divisive politics. It reveals that kindness must go around for it to come back. It's an attempt to say, you may not love thy neighbour, but you must try to befriend them.
'Tourist Family' is on JioHotstar.
Also read: '28 Years Later' review: Danny Boyle's triumphant return to zombie films
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Virat who? Ex-cricketer forgets Virat Kohli's name after Shubman Gill's animated celebration
Image credit: AFP NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill burst into an animated celebration after Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root during a crucial phase of the match. The Indian Test captain charged toward Siraj, pointing at him in a way that clearly signaled their well-executed plan had worked perfectly. But the joy was short-lived. Root immediately reviewed the decision, and the DRS showed a faint edge was missing — the on-field call was overturned, and the former England skipper survived. Watching Gill's exuberance, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar couldn't help but draw comparisons. He said Gill's reaction reminded him of someone familiar — someone who used to bat at No. 4. Without naming him, the hint was obvious: Virat Kohli . Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Who is this — Shubman Gill or someone else?' Manjrekar said on air. 'When he bats, he seems so calm, composed — a completely different personality. Captain Gill, we are seeing this version for the first time. His celebration… it reminded me of someone, but I'm struggling to place it. MS Dhoni never celebrated like that from mid-on, and it's definitely not Rohit Sharma 's style. Could be a No. 4 batter... My third guess would be Ajit Wadekar,' he added, sparking laughter in the commentary box, with Varun Aaron and Navjot Singh Sidhu joining in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Gill's day wasn't just about fiery reactions. It was also a record-setting one. The 24-year-old became only the fifth Indian to score a century on Test captaincy debut, joining the elite company of Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar. His composed 100 came off 140 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, anchoring India to a strong position. This match also marked the start of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle for both teams, and Gill made the occasion count. He also crossed the 2,000-run milestone in Test cricket, achieving the landmark in his 60th innings — the same match in which Virat Kohli also reached 2,000 runs during his captaincy debut. Gill now becomes the 23rd player to score a hundred in his first Test as captain, and the fourth youngest to do so, behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith. His act in the commentary box led to big laughter among other commentators, including Varun Aaron and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Gill joins the elite list of Indians, which includes Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare and Dilip Vengsarkar to score 100 on Test captaincy debut. This is also the start of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both nations. Gill also completed 2000 runs in Test cricket, the batter took 60 innings to achieve this feat. Both Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli completed 2000 Test runs in their first match as captain. India lose momentum on Day 2 | England Fight Back at Headingley Gill is the 23rd player to score a century in a debut innings as captain and the fourth youngest among those behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steven Smith. Gill brought up his 100 in 140 deliveries in an innings peppered with 14 boundaries as he kept India steady. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
India Today
42 minutes ago
- India Today
Rishabh Pant plays the numbers game beautifully: Ravi Shastri praises Leeds hundred
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped rich praise on Rishabh Pant after the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter lit up Headingley with a breathtaking hundred on Day 2 of the first Test against England. Shastri said Pant "plays the numbers game beautifully" and has "his own computer"—one only he smashed an audacious 134 off 178 balls, studded with 12 fours and six sixes, in an innings that blended brilliance with unorthodoxy. From the gravity-defying falling paddle to a post-century somersault, the 27-year-old brought both majesty and madness to the crease in equal He plays the numbers game beautifully, plays the way he wants. He will block for a bit and then shift gears," Shastri said during commentary on Sky Sports. "He has his own computer and only he knows how it works. That's his USP. That's what puts bowlers under pressure and makes him box office - a real entertainer and a match-winner," the former India all-rounder added. Pant's innings was his seventh Test hundred and second since a life-threatening car accident in late 2022. The comeback has been nothing short of remarkable, and Shastri said the post-century celebration was a nod to the road he had travelled."That's why there was that celebration - thanking the man upstairs for giving him the opportunity," Shastri vs IND 1st Test Day 2 Highlightsadvertisement"I think his recovery from that accident had a lot to do with the frame of his body and being in his mid-20s. When I saw him in hospital, it wasn't a pretty sight. Knee in a mess, scars all over the place, bruises all over the place."Pant reached his hundred in fitting fashion - launching a one-handed six over mid-wicket off Shoaib Bashir while on 99. It was a shot few would dare attempt at such a nervous juncture, but Pant has always carved his own path."This fella is box office. One of the great entertainers and one of the best hundred celebrations I've seen. He's a character, this boy," said former Surrey and Sussex batter Ian Ward, commentating for Sky in the series defeat in Australia, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar had scathingly described a Pant dismissal as "stupid, stupid, stupid" on air. On Saturday at Headingley, watching a resurgent Pant in full flight, Gavaskar offered a very different verdict: "Superb, superb, superb." You May Also Like
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Rice, spice and quiz marks Tasty Trivia's debut in Bhubaneswar
BHUBANESWAR: Tasty Trivia, a growing quizzing community, debuted in Bhubaneswar on Saturday by hosting an interesting quiz competition themed 'Rice, Spice & Everything Nice' at Patia-based The Space. Exploring Asia through the lens of Indian history, food, pop culture, and business, the quiz saw over 80 young professionals, students and curious minds gather for a full-house trivia evening. With clue-based questions, collaborative solving, and a warm, welcoming vibe, the event saw solo participants and teams of two take on a series of clever challenges. Started by Ashoka University alumni members Susovan Mahapatra and Saloni Mehta in Bangalore this year, they said trivia and quizzing have long been niche hobbies in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon and Bangalore, often limited to exclusive clubs or formal circuits. 'We began Tasty Trivia as a passion project to re-imagine quizzing as something more accessible, beginner-friendly and community-led. Our goal is to create inclusive, joyful offline spaces where anyone, not just seasoned quizzers, can show up, have fun, and leave with a new fact and a smile,' Susovan said. While Susovan has been a quizzer since school, Saloni discovered the joy of trivia more recently and the duo now hopes to make the format more open, social and beginner-friendly. Saloni is currently chief of staff at an American edtech company, while Susovan is part of the founding team at Aramya, one of India's fastest-growing ethnic wear brands. After a successful event at Bhubaneswar, they plan to host Tasty Trivia in cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa and Hyderabad.
