Bison Movie Review (2025) – A Sports Drama That Roars with Social Resonance
Plot & Premise
“Bison” is inspired by the life of kabaddi player Manathi P. Ganesan, though the film opens with a disclaimer that it is not strictly a biopic but rather the shared story of many unheard lives. The narrative centers on Kittan (played by Dhruv Vikram), a young man from a marginalized community who dreams of achieving success in kabaddi. His journey intertwines with caste politics, systemic oppression, family bonds, and village rivalries. Conflict arises when entrenched social prejudice and local powerplay obstruct not just his sporting ambitions but his very dignity and identity.
Over the course of the film, the story moves between past and present, using sport (kabaddi) as a metaphor for resistance, survival, and striving beyond imposed limits.
Performances & Characters
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Dhruv Vikram (Kittan) stands out by delivering a layered performance. He balances quiet intensity with bursts of rage, and the physical transformation he undergoes is evident. He is more compelling in sequences where restraint meets rupture than in overt emotional outbursts. Critics note that his strength is in letting the silences speak as much as the actions. India Today+3The Indian Express+3Only Kollywood+3
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Pasupathy, portraying Kittan’s father, is praised for anchoring the emotional core of the film. Their father-son relationship is often cited as one of the movie’s strongest elements. The Times of India+2Cinema Express+2
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Lal and Ameer play the antagonistic power brokers (Kandasamy and Pandiaraja respectively). Their characters represent the entrenched caste and political forces that Kittan must confront. Some review pieces argue their roles are intense but occasionally veer toward broad caricature. India Today+3Cinema Express+3The Indian Express+3
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Anupama Parameswaran (as Rani) and Rajisha Vijayan (as Raji, Kittan’s sister) deliver competent work, though their screen time and narrative arcs are more limited. Rajisha's dubbing has drawn some criticism for being less grounded. The Times of India+2Only Kollywood+2
Direction, Writing & Themes
Mari Selvaraj’s trademarks are present: a strong grounding in social realities, the use of rural imagery, and unflinching attention to caste and violence. In Bison, he opts for a more direct, somewhat “accessible” storytelling mode while retaining his thematic core. www.ndtv.com+3The Indian Express+3India Today+3
The film’s ambitious blend of sport drama + caste commentary is its greatest strength and also its key challenge. While many sequences feel potent and essential, the film sometimes struggles to juggle multiple subplots and maintain narrative tightness—especially in the first half. Some critics note that the pacing dips and the emotional stakes are diluted when introducing too many side characters or political undercurrents. PINKVILLA+2Cinema Express+2
Visually, the film benefits from Ezhil Arasu’s cinematography, which captures the Tamil Nadu heartland with warmth and grit. The contrast of black-and-white present vs color past sequences is used well to differentiate timelines and emotional registers. PINKVILLA+4The Indian Express+4Cinema Express+4
However, some critics feel the film loses narrative clarity in certain stretches due to non-linear transitions or under-developed supporting arcs. PINKVILLA+1
Highlights & Weaknesses
What works:
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The core message & social urgency: The film never shies from calling out systemic inequalities, and that gives it power and purpose. India Today+2Cinema Express+2
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Sport sequences & metaphor: Kabaddi matches are filmed with tension and authenticity; they serve as microcosms of the larger fight Kittan faces. The Times of India+2Cinema Express+2
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Emotional core & relationship arcs: The father-son bond, the sibling dynamic with Raji, the weight of legacy — these lend depth. Cinema Express+2Only Kollywood+2
What doesn’t always succeed:
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Length & pacing: At ~168 minutes, the film can feel overlong, with parts dragging before they regain momentum. The Times of India+2Cinema Express+2
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Supporting characters underwritten: Some characters introduced later don’t hold as much emotional weight. PINKVILLA+3The Times of India+3Cinema Express+3
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Music / score’s subtlety: While understated music fits many moments, there are times when audiences wished for more standout themes. The Times of India+2PINKVILLA+2
Verdict & Rating
“Bison” succeeds in being both a crowd-friendly sports drama and a stinging social commentary. It might not always match the poetic force of Mari Selvaraj’s previous films, yet it stands as one of his more accessible and ambitious works.
If I were to rate, it lands around 3 / 5 stars (or about 3.5 / 5 in more favorable assessments), depending on how forgiving one is of its structural flaws. Many critics and reviewers echo this range. India Today+3Cinema Express+3The Indian Express+3
For viewers interested in films that merge sport, caste, identity, and struggle, Bison is worth watching on the big screen. It’s not perfect, but it roars loudly where it matters most.
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