Abishan Jeevinth is a young Tamil film director, writer, and actor who made his directorial debut with the blockbuster movie Tourist Family in 2025. Born on June 1st and currently 25 years old, he hails from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and studied BSc Visual Communication at Loyola College, Chennai. Despite having no connections to the film industry, Abishan carved his path through YouTube short films before transitioning to mainstream cinema. His journey from creating content on his YouTube channel Thug Lightu to directing a film that grossed over ₹75 crore has inspired many aspiring filmmakers.
Abishan Jeevinth Early Life and Education
Abishan Jeevinth was born in the Ruler area of Trichy, Tamil Nadu, where he completed his schooling at a local institution. His passion for storytelling and filmmaking developed during his school days, which led him to pursue higher education in Chennai. He graduated with a degree in BSc Visual Communication from Loyola College, a course that helped him refine his technical skills in filmmaking and content creation. During his college years, he actively explored cinema and began creating short films that would later become the foundation of his career.
Abishan Jeevinth YouTube Journey and Short Films
Abishan launched his filmmaking career in 2018 by starting a YouTube channel called Thug Lightu with his friends. The channel initially featured comedy videos centered around relatable themes like friendship, college exams, and romantic relationships. In 2019, he directed his first notable short film titled DOPE, which marked his entry into serious filmmaking. The following year, he released Nodigal Pirakatha, a short film that became a breakout success by crossing 2 million views on YouTube. These early works helped him build a dedicated fan base and showcased his ability to craft compelling narratives that resonated with Tamil audiences.
Abishan Jeevinth Movies and Filmography
Tourist Family (2025)
Tourist Family marked Abishan Jeevinth’s debut as a feature film director and writer. Co-directed with Harish Durairaj and Madhan, the movie features an ensemble cast including M. Sasikumar, Simran, Yogi Babu, and Mithun Jai Shankar. The film tells the story of a Sri Lankan Tamil family seeking refuge in India during an economic crisis, posing as Malayalees and forming heartwarming connections with their neighbors. Inspired by Kamal Haasan’s classic Thenali, the movie blends comedy, emotion, and drama. Tourist Family achieved massive commercial success, grossing ₹75 crore at the box office and receiving praise from legendary filmmakers like Rajinikanth, Dhanush, SS Rajamouli, and Suriya. The film made its digital premiere on June 2, 2025, reaching a global audience. Abishan also made a brief on-screen appearance in the movie as an alcoholic youngster.
With Love (2026)
With Love marks Abishan Jeevinth’s debut as a lead actor. Directed by Madhan, who previously worked as an assistant director on Tourist Family, the romantic comedy features Abishan opposite Anaswara Rajan. The film tells the story of Sathya Sheelan, a designer who reluctantly attends a matchmaking meeting and encounters Monisha, a social media influencer who turns out to be his school senior. With music by Sean Roldan and cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna, the movie explores modern relationship dynamics aimed at Gen Z audiences. The film is jointly produced by MRP Entertainment and Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Zion Films. With Love released in theatres on February 6, 2026.
| Movie | Year | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Family | 2025 | Director, Writer, Actor (supporting role) | Released |
| With Love | 2026 | Lead Actor | Released |
Abishan Jeevinth Personal Life and Marriage
Abishan Jeevinth married his longtime girlfriend Akhila Ilangovan on October 31, 2025, at the scenic Hanu Reddy Boathouse Garden in Chennai. The intimate wedding ceremony was attended by close friends and family members. Their relationship became public during the pre-release event of Tourist Family, where Abishan emotionally proposed to Akhila on stage, thanking her for being his biggest support through his filmmaking journey. The couple’s wedding was preceded by a grand reception on the same day at Green Park Hotel, Chennai, where several prominent Tamil film industry personalities including Sasikumar, Sivakarthikeyan, MS Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, Simran, and Anaswara Rajan attended. Limited information is available about his parents, though he has credited his mother as a pillar of strength throughout his career.
Abishan Jeevinth Career Challenges and Success
Abishan’s path to cinema faced significant obstacles. During his final year of college, a promising film project was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he remained focused on his passion. However, his persistence paid off when he got the opportunity to direct Tourist Family, which became his major breakthrough. The film’s success not only established him as a talented director but also opened doors for him to transition into acting. Currently residing in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Abishan continues to work on new projects and has become an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers who lack industry connections.