Perusu

Story:

Perusu  is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film written and directed by Ilango Ram. Jointly produced by Stone Bench Films, Baweja Studios, and Ember Light Studio, the film features an ensemble cast including Vaibhav, Sunil Reddy, Niharika NM, Chandini Tamilarasan, and Bala Saravanan.

The film is a Tamil remake of Ilango Ram’s own 2023 Sri Lankan Sinhalese film Tentigo, reimagined for a regional audience while retaining its satirical tone and core narrative. Set against a rural backdrop, Perusu delves into themes of age, authority, and absurd social expectations, blending dark humor with sharp commentary.

Released on 14 March 2025, Perusu received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique storytelling, performances—particularly by Vaibhav and Sunil Reddy—and its darkly comic treatment of serious themes. Despite the critical acclaim, the film struggled commercially and ended up as a box office disappointment.

Nevertheless, Perusu has been noted for its artistic ambition and is expected to gain a cult following over time, further cementing Ilango Ram’s status as a filmmaker willing to take creative risks and push boundaries in Tamil cinema.

Plot

The film Perusu centers around the unusual and darkly comedic events that unfold during the funeral of an elderly man. The story kicks off when the man’s two sons are shocked to discover that their father’s body has an erect penis—a bizarre and unexpected situation that throws the funeral proceedings into chaos.

As the brothers scramble to manage and conceal the awkward incident without drawing attention, they are forced into uncomfortable conversations and confrontations. The bizarre situation acts as a catalyst, bringing long-buried tensions and unresolved issues between them to the surface. As they attempt to navigate the embarrassment, they inadvertently uncover secrets about their father’s romantic and personal life, challenging the idealized image they had of him.

Through this darkly humorous premise, Perusu blends satire with emotional depth, using the funeral setting as a backdrop to explore themes of familial discord, generational conflict, hidden truths, and the absurdity of social taboos. The film uses black comedy not just for shock value, but as a way to reflect on the fragility of relationships and the unpredictability of life—and death.