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.

A stirring blend of grit and grace - Bison: Kaalamaadan is a sports saga that doesn't just celebrate kabaddi, but also digs into the scars beneath. Dhruv Vikram delivers a compelling performance as Manathi Ganesan, giving us both the raw energy of an athlete and the emotional weight of a man wrestling with more than just opponents. Director Mari Selvaraj's vision is grand and unafraid, weaving social commentary into powerful sequences (though at 168 minutes, the film occasionally tests the limits of patience).

The ensemble cast, cinematography that sweats with every tackle, and a background score that throbs with purpose all lift the film. Some pacing issues in the mid-section and moments of overreach in messaging slightly dull the impact-but overall, this is a memorable ride that stands out in Tamil cinema's sports genre.

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.

Barring screenplay choices and parts of the film that felt repetitive, this is one of the best Tamil films of the year. Pariyerum and Karnan may still be ways ahead, but Bison is surely better Vaazhai and so much better than Mamannan.

Great 'debut' for Dhruv, surrounded by a stellar supporting cast; Pasupathi might end up winning an award or two for his work. Subtle commentary on so much...*slow claps* This film is definitely not the types that you'll go to theater for to 'enjoy' and have a good time with your friends but if you want a solid, dark, though-provoking film, this is a must watch this Diwali.

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.