In a remarkable turn of events, the Tamil film “Tourist Family” has emerged as India’s most profitable film of 2025, achieving an extraordinary profit margin of 1200% on a modest budget.
As the cinematic landscape of 2025 entered its midpoint, the industry took stock of what had succeeded and what had faltered at the box office. While major productions like “Chhaava” and “L2: Empuraan” dominated with impressive earnings, it was the unassuming “Tourist Family” that captured the spotlight with its unparalleled profitability. Directed by Abishan Jeevinth, the film was crafted on a budget of just ₹7 crore and has grossed an impressive ₹90 crore worldwide.
“Tourist Family,” a Tamil slice-of-life comedy drama, made its debut on April 29. The film features an ensemble cast including M. Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, and Kamalesh Jagan. Garnering praise from critics and audiences alike, the film’s success was fueled by its engaging storytelling and relatable themes. In its initial week, the movie collected ₹23 crore. However, buoyed by strong word-of-mouth promotion, it saw an even stronger second week, adding ₹29 crore to its earnings.
The film’s trajectory over five weeks culminated in a worldwide collection of ₹90 crore, with ₹62 crore accruing within India. This impressive financial performance underscored its humble origins and stands in stark contrast to much bigger budget projects.
While “Chhaava” holds the title of the highest-grossing Indian film of the year with ₹808 crore globally, its substantial budget of ₹90 crore results in a profit of 800%. In comparison, “Tourist Family’s” higher profit percentage demonstrates a remarkable return on investment, unmatched by even the most lavish Bollywood productions. Likewise, “Housefull 5,” despite grossing ₹300 crore worldwide, and Salman Khan’s “Sikandar” have yet to achieve profitability due to their costly productions. Aamir Khan’s “Sitaare Zameen Par,” with a budget of ₹65 crore, has managed a 300% profit margin on earnings of ₹260 crore.
Other regional films have also mirrored this trend of higher profitability margins. For instance, the Tamil film “Dragon” and the Malayalam hit “Thudarum” have achieved 300% and 720% profits, respectively. The Telugu film “Sankranthiki Vasthunam,” the highest-grossing film in its region, matched that with a 300% profit on its ₹60-crore investment.
According to the Hindustan Times, the unexpected success of “Tourist Family” signals a shift in viewer preferences and highlights the rising impact of regional cinema on India’s broader entertainment landscape.