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Little Thomas

Little Thomas is a heartwarming 1990s Goa family drama where seven-year-old Thomas tries to reunite his feuding parents and get a baby brother. Hridansh Parekh is a delightful find, with Rasika Dugal and Gulshan Devaiah adding warmth. Kaushal Oza’s sincere debut earns 4/5 stars.

• Released: 23 October 2026
• Runtime: 2h 5m
• Language: Hindi, English
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
• Director: Kaushal Oza
• Cast: Gulshan Devaiah, Rasika Dugal, Hridansh Parekh
• Where to watch: In Cinemas
• Our rating: 8/10

Our review

Few films capture the innocence of childhood as sincerely as Little Thomas. Kaushal Oza’s debut feature, produced by Anurag Kashyap among others, follows a seven-year-old boy who wants just one thing: a baby brother. To get one, he sets out to bring his feuding parents back together. Set in sun-soaked 1990s Goa, the film mixes laughter, nostalgia and tenderness. It is a charming watch for families this weekend.

Little Thomas is a warm, funny and nostalgic family film about a boy who believes a simple kiss between his parents can bring him a baby brother. Hridansh Parekh is a delightful find in the lead. Rasika Dugal and Gulshan Devaiah add warmth and believability as his parents. The 1990s Goa setting, the relatable childhood moments and the sincere performances are the film’s biggest strengths. The emotional core could have gone deeper, but the film’s charm carries it.

Cast and Crew

Plot Summary

It is the 1990s in Goa. Seven-year-old Thomas (Hridansh Parekh) is desperate for a baby brother. He is convinced that if his parents, Jessie (Rasika Dugal) and Desmond (Gulshan Devaiah), kiss like couples in English films, his wish will come true. But the two are busy with constant arguments and a struggling family bakery.

When his parents dodge his questions about where babies come from, Thomas takes up his own investigation. His innocent questions leave the adults around him scrambling for answers. The film follows his earnest, funny and touching attempt to mend his parents’ marriage.

Performances

Hridansh Parekh as Thomas: The film’s biggest discovery. With twinkling eyes, a crooked toothy smile and natural curiosity, he makes Thomas endearing from the first frame. His determination to fix his parents’ marriage never turns irritating. You root for him throughout, and his performance gives the film its heart.

Rasika Dugal as Jessie: Rasika Dugal slips into yet another character with remarkable ease. She plays Jessie with restrained frustration and quiet strength, a woman holding her family and bakery together while setting aside her own dreams. She makes Jessie feel real and relatable.

Gulshan Devaiah as Desmond: Gulshan Devaiah is thoroughly likeable as an idealistic father whose dreams don’t always match the practical demands of family life. He brings warmth and humour to Desmond without turning him into a cliché. His chemistry with Dugal makes the strained marriage believable, and his scenes with the young Thomas are among the film’s sweetest.

Technical Analysis

Direction

Kaushal Oza, a National Award-winning FTII alumnus, makes a confident feature debut. He understands how children see the adult world, and his handling of Thomas’s awkward questions is both funny and true to life. The “Made in Malaysia” T-shirt moment is a perfect example. The film is reportedly inspired by Oza’s own childhood, and that sincerity shows.

Cinematography

The film recreates 1990s Goa with period detail and a lived-in feel. The song “Do Guna Zindagi” was shot across Fontainhas, Altinho, Saligao and Margao, giving the film a more local feel than a typical beach postcard.

Music and Score

“Do Guna Zindagi,” sung by Raghav Meattle, is a bright, uplifting track that matches the film’s hopeful spirit. The casual Goan-flavoured Hindi expressions in the dialogue add to the film’s authentic soundscape.

Editing

The film moves through its episodic, child’s-eye scenes at an easy pace, keeping the comic moments crisp and the tone light. The period details, such as the return of cold drinks and refrigerators being a luxury, are woven in naturally.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Hridansh Parekh’s natural, scene-stealing debut
• Warm, believable performances from Rasika Dugal and Gulshan Devaiah
• Funny, relatable child-logic moments that hit home with parents
• An authentic, nostalgic 1990s Goa setting
• A sweet, universal premise about a child’s love for his family
• Sincere direction and a feel-good tone

Weaknesses

• The screenplay leans heavily on Thomas’s cuteness
• The emotional conflict between the parents could have gone deeper
• A few scenes, such as those with his friends, feel slightly staged

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐4/5 stars

Little Thomas is an affectionate, funny and nostalgic ode to childhood. Hridansh Parekh is a star in the making, and Rasika Dugal and Gulshan Devaiah give the story real heart. Kaushal Oza’s sincere direction and the charming Goa setting make this a worthy family outing. It may not dig as deep as it could, but it will make you smile, laugh and maybe even shed a tear.

FAQs

What is the age rating of Little Thomas?
The CBFC certificate is UA 7+. The film is a family comedy-drama with a child protagonist.

Is Little Thomas suitable for children and families?
Yes. It is a warm, child-centred film that the whole family can enjoy. Parents will especially relate to Thomas’s curious questions.

Is Little Thomas based on a true story?
No, it is not a true story. Director Kaushal Oza has described it as inspired by his own childhood.