Small Budget, Massive Impact: How ‘Tourist Family’ Became an OTT Sensation
In an era where big-budget films from Bollywood and Tollywood dominate the scene, a refreshing trend has emerged—small-budget films with strong content are capturing the hearts of millions. One such movie that’s making waves on OTT platforms is Tourist Family, a compelling family drama that defied expectations and became a blockbuster hit.
Made on a modest budget of just Rs. 16 crore, Tourist Family has astonishingly earned Rs. 87 crore worldwide, proving that content truly is king. Released globally in April 2025, the Tamil-language film has become one of the highest-grossing Tamil movies of the year.
The story revolves around a Sri Lankan family who migrates to India seeking a better future amid an economic crisis. Starring Shasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jaishankar, and Kamlesh Jagan, the film follows their struggles after being briefly detained by police. To protect themselves, they conceal their true identities and adapt to life in a rented home. The family head, Dharmadas, claims they are from Kerala, but their hidden past gradually unravels.
Clocking in at just over two hours, Tourist Family is not only critically acclaimed but also a commercial triumph. According to IMDb, the film earned Rs. 71.34 crore in India alone, with a total worldwide gross of Rs. 87.87 crore—a staggering profit margin of 283%.
Currently, Tourist Family ranks sixth in India’s top 10 trending movies and is set to stream on Jio Hotstar starting June 2. It’s available in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Even ace director SS Rajamouli has praised this remarkable film, cementing its status as a must-watch.
