Kollywood
Rajinikanth Praises Mari Selvaraj"™s "˜Bison Kaalamaadan"™ "” A Slow-Burning Success Winning Over Audiences at the Box Office
Mari Selvaraj"™s much-awaited sports-drama Bison Kaalamaadan, starring Dhruv Vikram in the lead role, has emerged as one of the most discussed Tamil films of the festive season. Released on October 17, 2025, during the Diwali weekend, the film opened to decent reviews and has gradually grown stronger with each passing day "” both critically and commercially. Known for his rooted storytelling, Mari Selvaraj once again brings his signature blend of social consciousness and emotional realism to the screen, this time through the lens of sports and identity. The film follows Dhruv Vikram as a young kabaddi player from a marginalized background who strives to make a name for himself in the fiercely competitive and socially layered world of village sports. It explores themes of caste, pride, and perseverance "” subjects that have defined Mari Selvaraj"™s cinema since Pariyerum Perumal (2018) and Karnan (2021). The title Bison Kaalamaadan itself becomes symbolic, representing resilience and dignity amid systemic challenges. The film also stars Kalidas Jayaram, Lal, Pasupathy, and Rajisha Vijayan in pivotal roles, while the technical crew includes Nirav Shah handling cinematography, Santhosh Narayanan composing the music, and Selva R. K. on the editing desk. The emotional authenticity of the film struck a chord with viewers and industry peers alike "” including Superstar Rajinikanth. In his heartfelt post on X, Superstar Rajinikanth praised director Mari Selvaraj for the "œeffort and personality" he brings to his films and appreciated his consistent contribution to Tamil cinema. He called Bison Kaalamaadan another strong entry in Mari"™s socially conscious filmography. The post quickly went viral, drawing warm reactions from fans and the film"™s team, who thanked the legend for his kind words.." At the box office, Bison Kaalamaadan has been steadily climbing the charts.The film collected around ₹22.5 crore net in India within its first five days, showing remarkable hold beyond the opening weekend. Day-wise figures reveal a clear upward trend "” Day 1 at ₹2.7 Cr, Day 2 at ₹3.4 Cr, and Day 3 at ₹4.5 Cr, before stabilizing around ₹6 Cr on Day 4 and maintaining a strong weekday performance. The Tamil Nadu theatrical occupancy averaged between 60 and 62%, peaking above 70% during evening and night shows in major centres like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy. Even as weekday footfalls slightly dipped mid-week, the film"™s consistent word-of-mouth kept it afloat. Overall, the film"™s domestic gross has crossed ₹25 crore, while its worldwide total is ₹31.5 crore by day 5. What makes this success noteworthy is that Bison Kaalamaadan isn"™t driven by star power or commercial gimmicks "” instead, it relies on sincerity and emotional heft. Mari Selvaraj crafts a world that feels lived-in, using the kabaddi arena as both a literal and metaphorical battleground for equality. Dhruv Vikram delivers his most mature performance yet, earning praise for balancing physicality and vulnerability. Santhosh Narayanan"™s pulsating score complements the film"™s earthy tone, while Nirav Shah"™s visuals capture the grit and texture of rural Tamil Nadu with poetic intensity. Take a look at the day by day breakdown of Bison's box Office earnings(Gross) Day 1:₹ 3.15 Cr Day 2:₹ 4 Cr Day 3:₹ 5.25 Cr day 4:₹ 7.05 Cr Day 5:₹ 6.9 Cr Total:₹ 26.35 Cr As Bison Kaalamaadan moves into its second week, the film continues to draw steady audiences across theatres, showing remarkable consistency even after its festive debut. Viewers have connected deeply with its emotional core and powerful storytelling, allowing the film to grow stronger through genuine word-of-mouth. It"™s a reminder that meaningful, socially grounded cinema can thrive just as strongly as big commercial entertainers when told with heart and conviction. Bison Kaalamaadan stands as proof that good cinema doesn"™t always roar on day one "” sometimes, it quietly grows to win hearts over time.
