The trailer of director Mari Selvaraj’s latest, Bison (officially titled Bison: Kaalamaadan), is a visceral onslaught. It drops you into the dusty, sun-baked world of 1980s rural Tamil Nadu and this is more than just a sports film. Following in the footsteps of his earlier films like Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan, Selvaraj uses kabaddi as a platform for a deeply rooted social and political conflict.
Bison: The Athlete Rises
From the very first frame, the trailer shows kabaddi players as modern day gladiators, colliding with bone crunching force. At the center of this world is Dhruv Vikram, who has completely shed his urban self to become the fierce, sun-baked athlete, Kittan. His transformation is stunning; the fire in his eyes is the true journey of a village hero. This character, reportedly inspired by real life kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan, navigates not just the physical brutality of the sport – the raids and tackles – but the deeper, more painful scars of social prejudice and oppression.
The trailer suggests that for Kittan and his community, the game is about dignity and survival. A booming voiceover, “This is not a game; it’s our war” sets the tone for a film that seamlessly blends personal triumph with a community’s uprising against the oppressive forces.
A Strong Cast
Selvaraj’s films have a great supporting cast and ‘Bison’ looks like no exception.
Pasupathy is good from the word go, in a key role, probably as Kittan’s father who wants his son to give up the sport that seems to bring conflict to their divided village. His lines about land and identity add an immediate layer of emotional depth and conflict to the trailer.
Anupama Parameswaran is the emotional anchor; her subtle looks and quiet presence is strength in the midst of chaos, while Rajisha Vijayan is also featured prominently. The presence of veteran actors like Ameer and Lal as local power brokers hints at the cutthroat politics and systemic obstacles that lies beyond the kabaddi mat.
Technical Masterclass and High Hopes
Technically, it’s a treat. Ezhil Arasu K’s cinematography is raw and rustic and captures the tension of the rural setting. Colour and visuals are Mari Selvaraj’s language.
Nivas K. Prasanna’s background score is the most impactful. Sharp, relentless and in sync with the sport. The music adds so much to the scenes, cutting from victory to betrayal in a montage that’s both thrilling and exhausting.
The ‘Bison’ trailer gives us everything we expect from a Mari Selvaraj film: raw emotion, a social conscience and great art. It’s a big platform for Dhruv Vikram to break free from the ‘star kid’ tag and become a performer of substance.
With the film releasing on Diwali, the trailer has made ‘Bison’ a serious, hard hitting socio-political sports drama that roars with resistance and hope. A glimpse into the story of a marginalized champion fighting for more than just a trophy.