Movie Title: Bison (Telugu)
Director and Writer: Mari Selvaraj
Producers: Pa. Ranjith, Sameer Nair, Deepak Segal, Aditi Anand (via Applause Entertainment & Neelam Studios)
Music Composer: Nivas K. Prasanna
Cinematography: Ezhil Arasu K.
Editing: Sakthi Thiru
Casting: Dhruv Vikram, Anupama Parameswaran, Rajisha Vijayan, Lal, Ameer, Pasupathy ,Kalaiyarasan and Azhagam Perumal
Filmycycle.com: ⭐ ⭐ ✨ (2.5/5)
Bison Aambothu: Dhruv Vikram shines in this rural sports drama (2.5/5)
Noted Kollywood actor Vikram’s son Dhruv Vikram made his Telugu debut with a film titled,Bison Aambothu. Co-starring Anupama Parameshwaran and Rajisha Vijayan as the female leads, the movie has released in Tamil Nadu last week and has been getting critical acclimation. Directed by Mari Selvaraj, the film has a Telugu theatrical release on October 24,2025. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
Set against the rural backdrop of the 1990s, Bison traces the journey of Kittayya (Dhruv Vikram), a spirited young man whose heart beats for kabaddi. His father, Velusamy (Pasupathy), worries that the sport will only bring hardship and discourages him from chasing such an uncertain dream. In a village fractured by caste divisions, Kittayya’s family belongs to a marginalised community long subjected to discrimination. Undeterred by the social and personal obstacles before him, Kittayya’s pursuit of kabaddi becomes more than just a game it turns into a fight for dignity, identity, and the right to dream. Whether he triumphs over these odds forms the emotional core of the story.
Performances:
Dhruv Vikram delivers a powerhouse performance, pouring his heart, sweat, and soul into the role. His remarkable physical transformation and emotional intensity make a lasting impression, reaffirming his potential as one of the most promising young actors of his generation.Pasupathy is exceptional as well, embodying a father torn between love and fear with striking authenticity. The emotional tension and warmth in his scenes with Dhruv anchor the film and give it its heartfelt depth.
Anupama Parameswaran is cute as a village Belle but sadly her role doesn’t make any impact in the proceedings.Among the supporting cast, Lal, Ameer, and Rajisha Vijayan lend strong performances that add weight to the narrative.
Analysis:
As both writer and director, Mari Selvaraj offers a fairly engaging film, though it doesn’t quite reach the emotional or narrative heights of his previous works. Bison falters at times due to its uneven pacing and a sense of repetition in parts.The emotional depth that defined Mari Selvaraj’s earlier films like Karnan and Pariyerum Perumal is noticeably absent in Bison.
The film’s extended runtime, repetitive scenes, and predictable storytelling dilute its overall impact.While Bison is positioned as a sports drama, the kabaddi element never truly takes center stage. Instead, it functions more as a symbolic device to highlight themes of caste discrimination and social struggle, leaving the sporting spirit largely underexplored.
Technical Department:
On the technical front, Ezhil Arasu K’s cinematography stands out, vividly portraying the rustic landscape and the intensity of the kabaddi sequences.
Nivas K. Prasanna’s music complements the drama in places but occasionally feels overpowering or out of sync with the tone. Sakthi Thiru’s editing could have been crisper tighter cuts would have enhanced the overall flow.
Despite these shortcomings, the film benefits from solid production values that lend it a polished look.
Verdict:
Altogether, Bison Aambothu is a sports drama that tackles themes of oppression and social inequality. The film manages to hold attention in parts, thanks mainly to Dhruv Vikram’s intense commitment and Pasupathy’s moving portrayal of a conflicted father. However, Mari Selvaraj’s storytelling doesn’t carry the same sharpness or emotional resonance seen in his earlier films.With a stretched runtime, predictable screenplay, and inconsistent emotional rhythm, Bison falls short of its potential. Its raw and grounded tone might not resonate with all viewers. Still, for those interested in socially rooted dramas, it’s worth a watch provided you go in with measured expectations.
