A Quirky Funeral Comedy That Stumbles More Than It Soars
On March 14, 2025, Tamil cinema welcomed Perusu, a film that promised a bold dive into adult comedy with a premise as bizarre as it is intriguing. Directed by Ilango Ram, who also helmed its Sinhalese predecessor Tentigo (2023), Perusu stars real-life brothers Vaibhav Reddy and Sunil Reddy, alongside a colorful ensemble including Chandini Tamilarasan, Niharika NM, Bala Saravanan, and Munishkanth. With a soundtrack by Arun Raj and cinematography by Sathya Thilakam, the film arrived with high expectations, buoyed by its unique plot and the allure of situational humor. But does it deliver the laughs it promises, or does it collapse under the weight of its own audacity? Let’s unpack this funeral fiasco.
The Premise: A Corpse with a Twist
Perusu kicks off with a premise that’s equal parts absurd and darkly hilarious. Halasayam, a respected village patriarch affectionately dubbed “Perusu” (meaning “the big one”), dies unexpectedly while indulging in a private moment of pleasure—complete with an Ilaiyaraaja song and perhaps a little pharmacological assistance. His sons, Samikannu (Sunil) and Duraikannu (Vaibhav), are thrust into a chaotic predicament when they discover their father’s body in a state of “Angel’s Lust”—a persistent erection that refuses to subside even in death. What should have been a somber day of mourning spirals into a frantic cover-up as the brothers scramble to preserve their father’s dignity before the villagers arrive for the funeral. It’s a one-liner that’s ripe with comedic potential, blending slapstick, double entendres, and the inherent absurdity of a funeral gone awry.
The Good: Moments of Charm and Chemistry
At its best, Perusu leans into its quirky setup with gusto. The first half of the film shines with situational comedy, leveraging the awkwardness of the brothers’ predicament to deliver chuckles. The real-life chemistry between Vaibhav and Sunil is a standout, grounding the absurdity with a relatable sibling dynamic. Sunil’s stuck-up Samikannu and Vaibhav’s perpetually inebriated Duraikannu play off each other well, especially in a poignant scene where they share a drink and reflect on their complicated relationship with their father. It’s a rare emotional beat in an otherwise chaotic narrative, hinting at the depth the film could have explored.
The supporting cast adds spice to the mix. Bala Saravanan, Redin Kingsley, and Munishkanth inject energy into their brief roles, with Munishkanth’s turn as a hilarious uncle stealing scenes effortlessly. The women—Chandini Tamilarasan and debutante Niharika NM as the daughters-in-law—bring sly humor with their snarky asides about their husbands’ shortcomings. Even Deepa Shankar’s slippery aunt character adds a layer of mischief. These moments suggest Perusu could have been a rollicking ensemble comedy if it had trusted its cast more.
The Bad: Repetition and Missed Opportunities
Unfortunately, Perusu struggles to sustain its momentum. The film’s reliance on a single gag—Halasayam’s posthumous predicament—wears thin quickly. What starts as a clever hook devolves into a barrage of phallic puns and double entendres (“Ninnukuthu,” “nattukudhu,” “straight”) that feel forced and repetitive. While the adult comedy label justifies some raunchiness, the humor often lacks the wit to elevate it beyond juvenile wordplay. Tamil cinema has a rich tradition of sharp, intelligent comedy—think Crazy Mohan—but Perusu rarely reaches those heights, leaving viewers longing for cleverer writing.
The second half is where the film truly falters. After a promising start, the pacing drags, with stretches that feel like filler rather than progression. The wafer-thin story struggles to fill its runtime (clocking in at just over two hours), and the lack of a substantial subplot or deeper character exploration makes it feel bloated. The brothers’ troubled relationship with their father is hinted at but never fleshed out, squandering an opportunity to balance the comedy with heart. Instead, the film leans heavily on its central joke, sliding into monotony before a late pivot to absurdity in the final 20 minutes salvages some goodwill.
The Technicals: A Mixed Bag
On the technical front, Perusu is serviceable but unremarkable. Sathya Thilakam’s cinematography captures the rural setting adequately, though it doesn’t push visual boundaries. Arun Raj’s music complements the light-hearted tone but lacks memorable tracks to linger post-credits. Editing by Sooriya Kumaraguru keeps the narrative cohesive, yet tighter cuts could have sharpened the pacing, especially in the sagging middle act. The production values, backed by Stone Bench Films, Baweja Studios, and Emberlight Studios, are decent, but the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its resources to elevate the experience.
The Verdict: A Half-Baked Laugh Riot
Perusu is a film with a killer premise that doesn’t quite know how to sustain itself. It’s a rare Tamil foray into adult comedy that deserves credit for its boldness, but its execution is uneven. The laughs are there—sporadically—and the cast’s enthusiasm keeps it afloat, but the repetitive humor and lack of depth prevent it from being a standout. It’s a harmless watch that peaks in its final act, where a chaotic climax delivers the absurdity, it should have embraced throughout. For fans of quirky comedies, it’s worth a look, but don’t expect a genre-defining gem.
Rating: 2.5/5
Perusu is a mixed bag—funny in fits and starts, but ultimately a missed opportunity to fully explore its wild potential. Catch it for the cast and the odd chuckle, but temper your expectations.
Perusu is a mixed bag—funny in fits and starts, but ultimately a missed opportunity to fully explore its wild potential. Catch it for the cast and the odd chuckle, but temper your expectations.