26/05/2025

LYFE MONDAY | MAY 26, 2025

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Finding laughter in survival

o Tourist Family’s stellar performances deliver heartfelt joyride

MOVIE REVIEW

T HIS is the kind of film that sneaks up on you. You go in expecting a light comedy, but what you get is a sharply written and incredibly charming family drama, made all the more memorable by its humour and heartfelt performances. Directed by first-time filmmaker Abishan Jeevinth, Tourist Family follows an Eelam Tamil family fleeing Sri Lanka’s economic crisis to build a better life in Chennai. But there is a twist where they pretend to be Malayalis to avoid suspicion and legal trouble. That single thread sparks a wonderfully entertaining journey filled with identity mix-ups and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. What makes the film such an easy recommendation is its tone. It is light, warm and funny. From the first scene, you are pulled into the everyday chaos of a family trying to adapt to a new life. The comedy flows naturally, no over-the-top slapstick, just smart writing and great performances that keep you invested. Speaking of performances, it is impossible not to start with Kamalesh Jagan, who plays the youngest son Mulli. In a cast filled with industry veterans, it is this young boy who steals the spotlight with his irresistible charm and razor-sharp comic timing. Whether he is asking too many questions or trying to make sense of the adult world, Kamalesh is a scene-stealer and undeniably the film’s breakout star. Sasikumar delivers a grounded, quietly affecting performance as Dharmadas, the well-meaning father who is constantly torn between doing what is right and keeping his family safe. Simran, as Vasanthi, brings warmth and emotional weight to the story, you truly feel the strain Ű BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN songwriter and visual artiste, but also for his distinctive presence on screen. His powerful performances continue to leave a lasting impression on audiences, proving that his acting talent is just as compelling as his musical legacy. Since making his film debut in 1986 with Kembara Seniman Jalanan , the Singapore-born artiste, known as the sifu of Malaysia’s music industry, has consistently delivered performances with a “magical touch” that have left a lasting impact on viewers. Some of the films starring the Mentera Semerah Padi and Tanya Sama Itu Hud-Hud hitmaker have not only sparked widespread discussion but also achieved box office success, including Fenomena (1990), Selubung (1992) and Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004).

Abishan makes his directorial debut with Tourist Family. harder because they are grounded in truth. Despite this being his debut film, Abishan handles the narrative with confidence. He does not rely on dramatic flashbacks or unnecessary exposition. Instead, he trusts the audience to connect the dots and it works. His direction keeps the film nimble, never dragging and always human. The music, composed by Sean Roldan, complements the story beautifully. Songs come in at just the right moments, never overwhelming, and the background score keeps things buoyant and emotionally tuned. At its heart, Tourist Family is about belonging, sacrifice and hope. But it never forgets to entertain. It invites us to laugh, feel and think all while rooting for a family just trying to survive with dignity. A perfect weekend watch that proves the smallest stories sometimes leave the biggest impact.

Tourist Family is wholesome entertainment. – PICS FROM IMDB 0 DIRECTOR : Abishan Jeevinth 0 CAST : M. Sasikumar, Simran, Kamalesh Jagan, Mithun Jai Shankar, Yogi Babu, M.S. Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak E-VALUE 8 ACTING 8 PLOT 8

The film stars Sasikumar (right) and Simran in lead roles.

she carries behind her gentle smiles. Their on-screen chemistry lends the film its emotional anchor. The rest of the cast shines too. Mithun Jai Shankar as the brooding older son Yogi Babu, with his signature deadpan delivery, and veterans such as M.S. Bhaskar and Ramesh Thilak – all deliver memorable moments. Every character has a purpose, every actor gets their moment to shine – a rarity in ensemble films. But what really makes Tourist Family work is its storytelling. The plot is not overly complex, but it does not need to be. The family’s efforts to fit in, the constant fear of

being cultural confusions – it is all laid out with a touch of satire, empathy and wit. There are a few emotional punches caught, the

along the way too, particularly in scenes where the family is confronted with discrimination or heartbreak. These moments hit

M. Nasir embraces different acting roles Riding on this success, the husband of Marlia Musa – well known for his dramatic and romantic roles – said he is not confined to any specific genre and is open to accepting and taking on any role that is offered. WITH a career spanning over four decades, legendary Malaysian artiste Datuk M. Nasir has long been celebrated not only for his contributions as a singer,

For the father of six, there are no strict conditions when it comes to accepting acting offers, as long as the script and character are compelling and capture his interest. “If I have the time and the story appeals to me, I will do it. The last time I acted in a film was in 2023, in Imam . Since then, I have done a bit of drama work and voiceover for a local animated film,” said the Mentera Semerah Padi singer. Meanwhile, the most popular male singer as recognised by Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian in 1994, 2000 and 2001 is also reported to be involved in an upcoming film titled Daud M Origin , playing the role of Joey’s father. “I did not say I accepted the offer ( Daud M Origin ), Joey did. I asked him whether he was actually offering me the father role, but before I could respond, he had already confirmed it. Well, we will see – if the deal is good,” he said. – Bernama

“I think producers assume I only want to do serious things. Actually, if I like the character and the story, I do not mind. I can do comedy too,” he told reporters. M. Nasir, whose full name is Mohamad Nasir Mohamed, demonstrated his versatility – including comedic roles – when he played a primary school principal in the music video Wamwamsam by comedian-singer Joey Daud, launched last Wednesday on the Luncai Emas YouTube channel. Although his appearance in the video was brief, the laid-back portrayal by the music maestro – deviating from his usual dramatic or romantic characters – brought a breath of fresh air to his showbiz career.

The award-winning artiste says he is not confined to any specific genre and is open to accepting and taking on any role that is offered. – BERNAMAPIC