Bison Kaalamaadan

Rating - 3.75/5

A raw, riveting tale of a man's perseverance and determination portrayed through a robust & realistic narrative.

The story shows how a low key village guy overcome the emotional, mental and physical struggles to pursue his dream of excelling in Kabadi against his father's fear of him turning rogue, the societal, caste and political odds that came his way.

Mari Selvaraj has scripted the story in a realistic narrative template giving stress to the emotional layers of the characters through their performances. He like in his previous films have blended casteism, rivalry, revenge, bloodshed, communal riots, village politics, folklore elements, myth, superstitions, brotherhood & romance into the story in a rooted screenplay. The story puts you through characters with orthodox thoughts and their hesitation to accept people with progressive thoughts as part of their conditioning is clearly portrayed through the story.

Stellar performance by Dhruv who just carried the character with distinct shades with utmost care and precision. Outstanding performances by Rajisha, Pashupathi & Lal in the movie. Anupama, Ameer Sulthan & Azhagam Perumal also gave notable performances of their characters.

Sensational cinematography by Ezhil Arasu who just captured the soul of the village through perfect lensing and lighting. Good background scores and folklore songs by Nivas Prasanna. Kudos to art team, sound department, action choreography and colorist for their contributions in elevating the movie experience.

An emotionally intriguing story highlighting the social stigmas.

Mari Selvaraj once again proves that cinema is not just for entertainment but also a powerful tool for social change. With "Bison," he stays true to his mission, using art to highlight important issues like caste and social inequality, rather than just seeking commercial success. The film stands out for its authenticity and courage in depicting the struggles of marginalized communities, integrating the sport of kabaddi seamlessly to tell a story that is both emotional and enlightening.

Selvaraj's perspective challenges the norm in Tamil cinema. As he himself shared at the film's success meet, while hundreds of movies are made for pure fun every year, he chooses to make films that educate and provoke thought, making art serve its highest purpose. The performances, visuals, and direction powerfully support this vision, making "Bison" not only an engaging watch but a meaningful one.

Instead of dwelling in caste victimhood, the film celebrates the power of persistence, self-belief, and progressive thinking as weapons against centuries of caste oppression.

Observed, it's not a grand cinematic outburst, but a small, real moment of personal emancipation. Dhruv's body language throughout-slouched shoulders slowly straightening, hesitant eyes finding steadiness-captures this inner evolution beautifully.

My learnings are about social consciousness without self-righteousness. Progression cannot rely on sympathy-it must be built through opportunity, courage, and relentless hard work.

A star is born? Nah, Dhruv is a natchathiram.

I've been rooting for "Bison" since day one, and it's so satisfying to see it deliver this powerfully. On the surface, it's about kabaddi, but really it's about caste, identity, and the fight to just exist with dignity. Mari Selvaraj brings his usual mix of anger and poetry here, and his direction makes every frame feel lived in and heavy with meaning.

The interplay of black and white and colour scenes is such a cool touch; you can feel that shift from oppression to empowerment. The cinematography captures the grit and dust of rural life beautifully.

Dhruv is phenomenal. He completely owns the role, and all that physicality and emotion feels so real. Pasupathy as his dad adds serious emotional weight; their scenes together are some of the best. Anupama and Rajisha did a solid job even if their roles aren't huge. I really liked Lal and Ameer here; both their characters felt strong and their dialogues hit hard.

Nivas K. Prasanna's music fits the tone perfectly, adding emotion without ever being too much.

Yeah, the third act felt a bit long but honestly, Idm. By the end, it felt less like watching a sports movie and more like watching someone fight their way toward freedom.

Mari Selvaraj once again turns struggle into cinema.

One of the best ever movie in recent times Dhruv acting was peaked 💥💥💥💥 Pashupati acting also good Nivas bgm and songs was awesome Dop visuals are really Good 😊 Editing was fantastic 😻 Mari delivered another master piece 0 flop director list Continue for Mari ✅ Thanks to the producer for this wonderful script selection Neelam and Applause.