Perusu (2025) is a straightforward Tamil film that doesn’t try to “get hard” (pun intended) about anything, nor does it come across as judgmental or preachy. For the most part, the comedy in this movie, starring Vaibhav and Sunil Reddy, is effective without being insulting or offensive. If you’re looking to spend two hours forgetting your worries, this film is a good choice. However, it’s important to note that it is certified as an adult comedy. While there isn’t a single vulgar or sexual visual, nor any bloodshed, it’s still not suitable for children due to the theme. Mangoidiots gives it a ‘Ripe’ for the attempt to tell a different story.
As a frequent filmgoer, I’ve come to appreciate films that capture slices of our everyday life in detail, rather than those attempting to create an epic. In Perusu, the narrative unfolds over a single day (and next) when an elderly man, a well-known local resident, passes away. His two sons and their families strive to conduct the funeral and last rites discreetly, concerned about the “erection” on the deceased body being noticed by villagers or anyone else. The film doesn’t delve into the backstories of the old man, his sons, or other family members. As the day progresses, we learn about each character through their actions and dialogues, allowing us to piece together their backgrounds. Even the nosy neighbour is well-understood in just a few frames. This aspect of storytelling by director Ilango Ram is impressive, and I hope more Tamil cinema directors adopt this approach, respecting the audience’s intelligence.
Both Vaibhav and Sunil Reddy carry the film effectively. Vaibhav portrays Duraikannu, a drunkard who loves his father and cares for his family but is hindered by his bad habit. His elder brother, Samikannu, a local school headmaster, is played convincingly by Sunil Reddy, who shoulders all responsibilities in this challenging scenario. Joining them are Niharika NM as Shanti and Chandini Tamilarasan as Rani, who, despite limited roles, support the leads well. Bala Saravanan as Ameen and Munishkanth as Singaram Chithappa provide humour in appropriate portions. I would have liked to see Karunakaran in a bigger role, but he impresses as the icebox owner.
The film highlights how our society views even the dead and seizes any opportunity to embarrass the deceased’s family. The ending showcases the irony of how society perceives righteousness and unfaithfulness.
Happy to see director Ilango Ram acknowledge my review on Facebook—wishing him the best for his future storytelling ventures! (Screenshot of our interaction below):
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