‘From Ethirum Puthirum to Tourist Family’: Ravichandran Ashwin calls Simran’s evolution as an actor amazing

In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, star cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin spoke at length about his love for cinema and shared his thoughts on the craft. With the year coming to a close, the wizard spinner picked family dramas such as Tourist Family and 3 BHK as his favourite films of 2025.

Taking viewers on a nostalgic ride, Ashwin expressed his admiration for the evergreen actor Simran, citing her evolution as an artist from the song Thottu Thottu Pesum in Ethirum Puthirum (1999) to her much-discussed role in this year’s blockbuster Tourist Family, which also stars a delightful ensemble including M. Sasikumar, Yogi Babu, Mithun Jai Sankar, and Yogalakshmi.

Hailing the Siddharth-starrer 3 BHK for portraying the struggles of a middle-class family, the cricketer spoke about the relatability of these films and expressed happiness over the success of smaller films amid a slew of big-ticket releases.

Reflecting on his active playing days, Ashwin said, “Cinema is my biggest companion, especially Tamil cinema.” He explained that movies used to help him overcome loneliness, particularly when he was away from family during international trips.

Being an avid enthusiast of the craft, Ashwin added that he is eagerly awaiting the release of both Thala and Thalapathy films. “Cinema, beyond its commercial viability, more often than not brings value additions to audiences’ lives,” he noted.

“I view it as a place for learning. When I explore someone else’s story, it resonates with me and gives me the chance to reflect and internalize those experiences. That’s why certain films feel so relatable to me,” the cricketer said.

Offering further insights, noting the success of films by breakout star Pradeep Ranganathan (Love Today, Dragon, and Dude), he stated that while he always looks forward to watching a good movie, he also appreciates films that depict reality.

Ashwin’s candid revelations opened up another facet of his personality. An avid admirer of cinema, his call for a balance between entertainment and quality in films has resonated well with cinephiles across the country. (With inputs from Agencies)