Abishan Jeevinth
Abishan Jeevinth | |
|---|---|
_promotion_event.jpg) | |
| Born | June 1, 1999 |
| Education | Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Occupation | Actor • Film director • Screenwriter |
| Years active | 2025–present |
| Spouse |
Akhila Ilangovan (m. 2025) |
Abishan Jeevinth (born 1 June 1999) is an Indian actor, film director and screenwriter who works in Tamil cinema. He is best known for directing Tourist Family (2025), in which he also appeared in a supporting role.
Personal life
Abishan Jeevinth was born on 1 June 1999 at Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, where he developed an early interest in cinema.[1][2] He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication at Loyola College, Chennai.[2] Abishan married his longtime partner, Akhila Ilangovan, on 31 October 2025, after proposing to her during the promotions of Tourist Family (2025).[3][4]
Career
Abishan created sketch comedy videos on his YouTube channel, Thug Light. He later directed his first short film, Djinn (2019), followed by Nodigal Pirakatum (2020).[2][5][6] During his final year in college in 2020, his debut feature film was signed; however, the project was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[2][7]
During the pandemic, Abishan began writing a script inspired by Kamal Haasan's Thenali (2000),[2][8] while he also working briefly as a teacher.[9] Although his initial intention was to develop a sequel to the Haasan-starrer,[7] the script eventually evolved into Tourist Family.[10] Produced by Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment,[11] the film featured M. Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar and Kamalesh Jagan in the lead roles, with Abishan appearing in a supporting role.[12] The film grossed ₹90 crore (US$11 million) worldwide, emerging as one of the highest-grossing film of 2025, as well as one of the most profitable Indian film of the year.[13][14] It received praise from several Indian film personalities, including actor Nani,[15] and director S. S. Rajamouli.[16] In 2026, the film was announced as one of the four Indian films amongst 201 submissions eligible for the Academy Award for Best Picture for the 2025 ceremony.[17][18] Santanu Das of Hindustan Times described Abishan as a "major new cinematic voice," highlighting the emphasis on kindness, empathy and social harmony in Tourist Family.[19]
With Love (2026) marked Abishan's subsequent project and his debut as a lead actor.[20] The film was directed by Madhan, who had previously served as an associate director on Tourist Family,[21] and was produced by MRP Entertainment in collaboration with Soundarya Rajinikanth's Zion Films.[22][23] Starring Abishan and Anaswara Rajan in the lead roles,[24] the film premiered on 3 February 2026 at Sathyam Cinemas, with notable atendees including Rajinikanth, Nelson Dilipkumar and Anirudh Ravichander.[25][26][27]
Filmography
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Actor | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tourist Family | Yes | Yes | Yes | Alcoholic youngster | ||
| 2026 | With Love | No | No | Yes | Sathya | [28] |
References
- ^ "Abishan Jeevinth On The Success Of Tourist Family: I Believe Goodness Has Value". www.ottplay.com. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ a b c d e "Who Is Abishan Jeevinth, The Director Behind Latest Tamil Hit, Tourist Family". News18. Archived from the original on 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Desk, Cinema Express (2025-10-31). "Tourist Family director Abishan Jeevinth ties the knot". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Tourist Family Director Abishan Jeevinth Gets Married | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 2025-11-22. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Thug Light (2019-02-22). Djinn – Fantasy Comedy – 2019 Short Film With English Subtitles – Thug Lightu. Retrieved 2026-02-03 – via YouTube.
- ^ Thug Light (2020-02-15). Nodigal Pirakatum – 2020 Tamil Short Film – Thug Light – With English Subtitles. Archived from the original on 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2026-02-03 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Tourist Family director Abishan Jeevinth Interview: There is a strong emotion, but not hard-hitting to give you sleepless nights". www.ottplay.com. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (2024-12-10). "Abishan Jeevinth on Tourist Family: Thenali inspired me to make a film on Sri Lankan Tamils". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "Tamil Director Abishan Jeevinth Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Abishan Jeevinth – The Driving Force Behind Tourist Family's Success in Tamil Cinema | Ulagam". astroulagam.com.my. 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Features, C. E. (2025-05-11). "Sasikumar-Simran's Tourist Family earns over Rs 50 crore at box office, theatrical run to be extended". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "'Tourist Family' now streaming on OTT. There is surprise bonus. Where to watch emotional Tamil family drama – The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "'Tourist Family': Most profitable film of 2025 with 1200% returns, beats 'Dragon' and 'Chhaava'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2026-02-01. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "India's most profitable film of 2025 earned 1200% profit: How a ₹7 crore film beat Chhaava, Sitaare Zameen Par, Sikandar". Hindustan Times. 2025-07-17. Archived from the original on 2025-07-18. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Tourist Family Director Abishan Jeevinth Felicitated By Nani, Calls It An Honour". Times Now. 2025-06-14. Archived from the original on 2025-07-08. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Features, C. E. (2025-05-01). "SS Rajamouli describes Tourist Family as "best cinematic experience"". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2025-06-23. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ PTI (2026-01-09). "'Kantara: Chapter 1', 'Tanvi The Great,' 'Tourist Family' among four Indian films eligible for Oscars 2026". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ Bureau, DTNEXT (2026-01-08). "Tourist Family, Gevi join Oscars race". DT Next. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Tourist Family marks the arrival of a major new voice in Abishan Jeevinth". Hindustan Times. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Soundarya Rajinikanth's Production 'With Love' Launched, Starring Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (2026-02-05). "Desingh Periyasamy on With Love: The film felt like a therapy". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ Desk, Cinema Express (2025-08-27). "Tourist Family's Abishan Jeevinth to star in Soundarya Rajinikanth's new film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2025-10-11. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Bureau, DTNEXT (2025-08-30). "Dir Abishan Jeevinth to debut as actor in new-age love story". DT Next. Archived from the original on 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Babu, Ashwin S,Gowtham (2026-02-08). "Anaswara Rajan: 'Rom-com is a universal genre'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Desk, Cinema Express (2025-08-27). "Anaswara Rajan to star alongside Abishan Jeevinth in new film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2025-10-24. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ https://x.com/saloon_kada/status/2018735834602574324?s=46.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://x.com/letscinema/status/2018685410935804126?s=46.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Kumar, Akshay (2025-11-21). "Abishan Jeevinth-Anaswara Rajan's film titled With Love". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2026-02-02. Retrieved 2026-02-03.