Bison Kaalamaadan: When Hope Charges Through the Mud of Reality

Be it any profession, one always requires a mentor to guide and push them to reach their true potential — just like how Santhraj (Madhankumar Dakshinamoorthy) encourages Kittan (Dhruv Vikram)

Bison, set against the backdrop of the real-life Pasupathi Pandian–Venkatesa Pannayar caste war, follows the struggle of an aspiring kabaddi player. The film has many layers, most of which work really well. What ultimately stands out is the relationship between Velusamy (Pasupathy) and Kittan. It hauntingly beautiful to see a dad watch his son grow and win in this twisted world.

Despite following a familiar template for a sports drama, the film largely keeps you engaged with its intense emotions and stunning visuals. Every frame feels like a painting, reflecting how Mari Selvaraj finds beauty in the simplest of things. Dogs, cows, donkeys, horses, pigs, fish, eagles — and now goats and bisons — his visual sense and ability to infuse subtle metaphors are what truly make Mari one of the finest directors in India at the moment.

On the whole, this might just be Mari’s most neutral film, as it presents the pros and cons of both sides of the society. In today’s world, most films are written just to earn whistles and claps. To achieve that kind of response organically is rare — and this film does it effortlessly. Ameer as Pandiyan and Lal as Kanthasamy are great casting choices. While they might be flawed in their own ways, they deliver multiple whistle-worthy moments that makes you clap for both.

If one were to nitpick, the romantic arc between Kittan and Rani (Anupama Parameswaran) is perhaps the only layer that doesn’t really work or add value to the narrative. For someone like Kittan, who has already been through so much, the shallow love-track neither seems to affect him deeply nor does it move the audience. Rani probably is the weakest character that one might see in a Mari Selvaraj film.

Music plays a crucial role in the film, with every song placement feeling like a masterstroke rather than a mere cinematic necessity. Nivas K. Prasanna delivers a scintillating album, and his background score amplifies the emotional weight of each scene while seamlessly elevating the storytelling.

Dhruv dedicating two years to this project seems worth every second — he is magnetic on screen. His commitment shows not just in his physical transformation and kabaddi movements, but also in his voice modulations, emotional intensity, and raw reactions. It’s a performance that pulls you into his world and makes the journey feel authentic.

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In the end, the most powerful aspect of Bison Kaalamaadan is that it goes beyond being a voice of the oppressed. At its core, it becomes a voice for anyone who dares to dream—anyone who fights to rise above their circumstances, no matter how impossible the odds may seem.