Sports, struggle, and society 

Bison Kaalamadan

– Review

The film follows Kittan, a young man from Vanathi village who dreams of playing Kabaddi and making it for the Indian team. 

But his journey is made difficult by entrenched caste politics, factions in the village, violence, and the weight of social discrimination.

The antagonistic forces are two rival local factions led by Pandiyaraja (Ameer) and Kanthasamy (Lal). 

Their enmity, rooted in caste/inherited hatred, drags innocent people into violent acts. 

Kittan’s father Velusamy (Pasupathy) and sister Raji (Rajisha Vijayan) are key figures in his life. 

Kittan’s struggle is not just against opponents on the field but also against social structures that conspire to suppress his dignity and potential.

Director Maari Selvaraj uses a slow burn approach. The hero and many characters often carry internalised anger, humiliation, and longing. The moments where that anger bursts are impactful because the preceding subtle build-up is strong.

Dhruv Vikram (Kittan) delivers a committed performance. Physically transformed for the role; conveys rage, hurt, hope. He is more restrained in many scenes, which increases the impact when he does erupt. He shines well in the emotional outbursts scene. The Kabaddi sequences are also convincing. 

Pasupathy balances fatherly protection, fear, pride, and disappointment well. Rajisha Vijayan provides a strong emotional counterpoint. Her role has both domestic grounding and moral strength.

Anupama Parameswaran gets some good moments—especially in songs or emotional scenes.

Ameer and Lal, as faction leaders, are well cast. Their roles are big in setting up the socio‐political conflict.

Ezhil Arasu’s cinematography is filled with rich earthy tones, wide shots of rural landscapes, river scenes, fields.

Nivas K Prasanna’s background score builds tension and complements the more intense moments without overwhelming.

Rest of the technical aspects of the movie including the editing and action sequences have come out well.

Rating: 3.7/5

By Naveen

***