Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Tamil sports drama film "Bison," also known as "Bison Kaalamaadan," officially hit theaters on October 17, 2025, coinciding with the Diwali celebrations.
Directed by Mari Selvaraj, the film immediately captured the attention of audiences and critics alike with its powerful narrative and captivating performance by Dhruv Vikram.
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This inspiring story, based on the life of Indian Kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan, successfully delivers a blend of action and profound emotion.
Since its release, "Bison" has garnered critical acclaim, particularly for its exploration of relevant social and political issues of caste.
The Inspiring Journey Behind 'Bison'
The film "Bison" tells the story of a young man named Kittan (Dhruv Vikram) from a village in southern Tamil Nadu who aspires to become a professional kabaddi player.
However, his dreams are hindered by the social injustice and communal conflict that plague his community.
It adapted from the real-life story of Indian kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan.
"Bison" is co-produced by Sameer Nair, Deepak Seigal, Pa. Ranjith, and Aditi Anand under the banners of Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios.
The film features a stellar cast including Pasupathy, Ameer Lal, Anupama Parameswaran, Rajisha Vijayan, and Azhagam Perumal, who also support Dhruv Vikram.
The music and background score were composed by Nivas K. Prasanna, while the stunning cinematography was handled by Ezhil Arasu K. Both successfully create an authentic atmosphere and support the film's narrative.
The film's distribution in Tamil Nadu was handled by Five Star K. Senthil.
Critical Acclaim for 'Bison' and Mari Selvaraj
Director Ram, a former assistant to Mari Selvaraj, praised "Bison" as Selvaraj's best work.
"Bison" is considered a remarkable exploration of the impact of violence and its disturbing consequences on the minds of impressionable youth, according to Cinema Express.
Reviews also noted that "Bison" is Mari Selvaraj's most violent film to date, with the violence and bloodshed occurring around the protagonist, not by her.
It shows how Kittan (Dhruv Vikram) doesn't have the opportunity to think about his passion, his future, love, friendship, and family, but instead simply reacts to whatever comes his way.
One Twitter user, as reported by Mint, praised "Bison" for standing out among the many Tamil films that deal with caste and sports.
Director Mari Selvaraj presents the issue of caste from a unique perspective, emphasizing that humanity and compassion can transcend caste and religion.
India Today called "Bison" a powerful story about caste politics and systemic oppression in a sporting setting, making it a solid addition to Mari Selvaraj's body of work.
Promising Early Box Office Receipts
"Bison" opened to strong box office numbers, demonstrating its potential as a hit.
MediaFeed reports that positive early reviews and encouraging audience feedback indicate strong performance in both urban and rural areas.
The enthusiasm surrounding the film is palpable, indicating that "Bison" has successfully captured the attention of a wide audience.
On its first day of release, "Bison" managed to collect 8.5 crore rupees. This figure increased significantly on the second day, earning 10.2 crore rupees.
The film peaked on the third day, earning 12.4 crore rupees, bringing its total opening weekend earnings to 31.1 crore rupees.