Captivating Tale of Resilience in Mari Selvaraj Bison Movie

Abstract

Actors from all socioeconomic backgrounds now look forward to parts in movies helmed by Dalit directors such as P. K. Ranjith and Selvaraj. Ignoring these historical and modern realities and focusing only on the “fair” female leads in their films is part of an elite plot to subvert Dalit-constructed political ideologies. One of Mari’s films, Bison, subverts the conventional patterns, methods, and aesthetics of mainstream filmmaking to create a counterpublic discourse. The heroic depiction of Dalit iconography, symbols, gods, and belief systems is at the core of Mari’s filmmaking approach, and this is not an artistic limitation. In actuality, these stories contradict the long-standing use of epistemic violence in cultural representation in mainstream film.By titling the movie Bison, or Kaalamaadan, Mari Selvaraj is definitely undermining the sarvarna gaze. Based on actual events, the movie is set in southern Tamil Nadu in the 1990s against the backdrop of social developments. It is described as an intense and emotional film that uses elements of violence, Kabaddi, and social issues to tell a powerful story. It discusses the Dalit protagonist Kittan’s survival, tenacity, and victory. Selvaraj employs athletics as a motivator in the movie to help the protagonist move past this dilemma and toward more ambitious goals. This study examines Mari Selvaraj’s Bison Kaalamaadan by analyzing its plot, characters, symbols, and discussions about society and politics. It also examines how the film alters the typical production process of Tamil films by drawing on concepts from Dalit discourse, film studies, and criticism of caste-based culture. By looking at how sports, memories, and fighting back are used to show dignity and stand up for oneself in films that are against the caste system of which Bison Kaalamaadan is a part, the paper contributes to the conversation about how Dalits are depicted in films.