Movie Name : Bison
Release Date : Oct 24, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Dhruv Vikram, Anupama Parameswaran, Rajisha Vijayan, Pasupathy
Ameer
Director : Mari Selvaraj
Producers : Sameer Nair, Deepak Seigal, Pa. Ranjith, Aditi Anand
Music Director : Nivas K. Prasanna
Cinematographer : Ezhil Arasu K.
Editor : Sakthi Thiru
Related Links : Trailer
Dhruv Vikram’s Bison Kaalamaadan (simply Bison) released in Tamil during Diwali, and its Telugu version hit the screens today, a week later. Directed by Mari Selvaraj, the film blends sports and social commentary and check out the review to know how it is.
Story:
Set in the 1990s, Bison follows Kittayya (Dhruv Vikram), a student who dreams of excelling in kabaddi. His father Velusamy (Pasupathy) disapproves, fearing for his son’s future. Their village is divided by caste, and Kittayya’s family belongs to a marginalised community that has endured oppression for generations. Despite resistance, he pursues kabaddi but faces harsh challenges at every step. Whether he achieves his dream and breaks these barriers forms the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
Mari Selvaraj once again explores oppression and social inequality, this time with kabaddi as the backdrop. He narrates it effectively, depicting inequality from local playgrounds to the national stage.
Dhruv Vikram puts his blood and sweat into the role. His physical transformation and emotional depth stand out, marking him as a promising talent.
Pasupathy is equally impressive, portraying a father torn between fear and affection. The bond between him and Dhruv forms the film’s emotional core.
Among others, Lal, Ameer, and Rajisha Vijayan perform well. Anupama Parameswaran, however, appears for less than 15 minutes and has little scope to perform.
Minus Points:
Bison draws inspiration from the life of Arjuna Award–winning kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan, balancing realism and emotion. While the discrimination is portrayed effectively, many scenes feel overstretched.
The emotional impact of Mari Selvaraj’s earlier works, such as Karnan and Pariyerum Perumal, is missing in Bison. Its length, repetitive sequences, and predictable narrative weaken the film’s overall grip.
The sports drama angle feels underused, with kabaddi serving more as a metaphor for social inequality than as a dramatic core.
In the Telugu dubbed version, poor localisation hurts the experience. Tamil signboards, newspapers, and tattoos remain untranslated, leaving viewers puzzled. It’s a clear case of negligence. The raw violence might also alienate family audiences.
Technical Aspects:
As a writer and director, Mari Selvaraj delivers a decent outing but not one matching the power of his earlier films. Bison struggles with uneven pacing and repetition. Ezhil Arasu K’s cinematography beautifully captures the rural backdrop and kabaddi action.
Nivas K. Prasanna’s music is decent but occasionally mismatched and loud. Sakthi Thiru’s editing could have been sharper, as trimming repetitive portions would have made it tighter. Production values are fine overall.
Verdict:
On the whole, Bison Kaalamaadan is a sports drama that addresses oppression and inequality. It works to an extent, largely due to Dhruv Vikram’s dedication and Pasupathy’s heartfelt performance. However, Mari Selvaraj’s narration lacks the sharpness and emotional impact of his earlier works. The prolonged runtime, predictable writing, and uneven emotional flow make Bison a below average flick. The film may not appeal to everyone, especially given its raw tone, but if you’re curious, watch it with modest expectations.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team