Negativity Around ‘Tourist Family’ Sparks Heated Debate—Comparisons with ‘Chatrapathi’ Emerge
Tourist Family, starring Sasikumar and Simran, took the Tamil film industry by surprise with its sleeper hit status. Directed by 25-year-old debutant Abishan Jeevinth, the film, made on a modest budget, became one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil cinema this year.
Now streaming on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, Tourist Family has become a trending topic on social media, not for its success, but due to the negative discourse surrounding its content.
Many netizens are criticizing the film for allegedly glorifying illegal immigration, subtly promoting religious intolerance, and embedding controversial dialogues that have sparked widespread concern. Scenes involving beef consumption and themes around refugee entry have become hot discussion points online, especially post its OTT release.
Interestingly, this negativity has drawn comparisons with Chatrapathi, the Telugu blockbuster where Prabhas plays a Sri Lankan refugee. Critics argue that while Chatrapathi was celebrated, Tourist Family is being condemned for a similar theme. Supporters of Chatrapathi defend the difference by stating that Prabhas’ character was part of a documented, system-approved refugee group, whereas the Tourist Family portrays unregulated migration.
With current political tensions surrounding illegal immigration, especially from Bangladesh, the Tourist Family has unwittingly entered a larger sociopolitical conversation.
Despite the backlash, the film continues to receive praise for its storytelling and technical finesse. Many believe the controversy shouldn’t overshadow the talent of a young filmmaker making a strong debut.
