Bison Kaalamaadan movie reviews: Mari Selvaraj’s latest sports-drama, Bison Kaalamaadan, has created a sensation with Dhruv Vikram. Also starring Pasupathy, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, Anupama Parameswaran, and Ameer Sultan, the film has made its theatrical debut today, October 17. Set in a rural landscape, Bison Kaalamaada combines the adventure of sports and social commentary on the caste-based discrimination in India.
Receiving massive praise on social media, several critics and fans have lauded the Varmaa actor, Dhruv Vikram, for his performance. Staying true to his filmmaking, Mari Selvaraj continues his exploration of themes such as oppression, injustice, morality, and socio-politics. This demanding project has set the film apart.
Bison Kaalamaadan: About the film
Bison Kaalamaadan narrates the story of Kittan, played by Dhruv Vikram, who has always dreamt of being a national-level kabaddi player. But, at the behest of caste oppression in rural India, he is faced with several challenges. Two antagonistic factions led by Pandiyaraja (Ameer) and Kanthasamy (Lal) fuel violence across the community. The ‘bison’ signifies strength and resistance, and comes as a recurring metaphor throughout the Selvaraj directorial.
Here’s what the Internet says about Selvaraj’s Bison Kaalamaadan
‘When Bison hits, it hits hard’
Netizens have hailed this social sport movie and have lauded Selvaraj’s directorial sense. “Bison Kaalamaadan is not just about caste or kabaddi. It’s about fighting a system that tells you when to dream — and how high,” read a comment on X (formerly Twitter). It added, “When Bison hits, it hits hard.” In fact, some viewers felt that this is “Mari Selvaraj’s most violent film to date and it is beautiful how the gore and bloodshed aren’t at the hands of the protagonist, but everywhere around him.”
Some viewers found the first half of the film slow, while others found the second half to be invigorating, tying the whole plot together. ‘Sport meets social struggle’ was the underlying theme of several comments that praised the Dhruv Vikram starrer. Experts predict that this could be a “game changer” for Dhruv Vikram. A fan page wrote that the actor “transforms the screen into his territory.” Adding that Bison Kaalamaadan “isn’t just a film, it’s a storm you’ll feel.”
Out now in Tamil, Bison Kaalamaadan’s total run time is nearly 3 hours, and hence audiences may feel it’s a bit stretched. Others feel that Pasupathy could have had a bigger role. “Dhruv Vikram’s Kabaddi player breaks social shackles in Mari Selvaraj’s sports drama,” said a review page. “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,” read another comment on social media.
Praising the headliner, Dhruv Vikram, the audience opined that he “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.” Though some felt, “the film occasionally tests the limits of patience.” The music and songs, too, have garnered huge praise. “The ensemble cast, cinematography that sweats with every tackle, and a background score that throbs with purpose all lift the film,” a review said.