Bison Fashion Decode: Steal Dhruv Vikram’s ‘Raw Athletic’ Look & The 90s Rural Aesthetic

Soil, Sweat & Sportswear: Decoding the Raw Fashion of Bison (Kaalamaadan) 🦬

In Mari Selvaraj’s world, clothes don’t just cover the body—they carry the weight of labor, caste, and struggle. Here is how Dhruv Vikram’s grit and Anupama’s grace defined the fashion of 2025’s most intense sports drama.

Released in late 2025, Bison (Bison Kaalamaadan) is a visual symphony of red soil and raw muscle. Set against the backdrop of 1990s rural Tamil Nadu, the film tells the story of Manathi Ganesan (played by Dhruv Vikram) and his journey in Kabaddi. Unlike the polished jerseys of modern sports biopics, Costume Designer Aegan Ekambaram created a wardrobe that feels drenched in sweat and sun.

For ArtistryC.in, we decode the “Anti-Glamour” trend that this movie has popularized—where texture is king and perfection is the enemy.

1. Dhruv Vikram (Kittan): The ‘Kabaddi Grunge’ Aesthetic

Dhruv Vikram’s transformation into Kittan is physical, but his wardrobe enhances that beast-like energy. It’s a mix of 90s utility wear and pure athletic function.

The Look Deconstructed:

• 🎽 The ‘Banyan’ Vest: The humble white cotton vest (often stained with red mud) is the hero piece. It showcases the physique while representing the working-class hero. It’s not a gym tank; it’s a banyan—ribbed, thin, and real.
• 🩳 The Vintage Kabaddi Shorts: Tight, mid-thigh length shorts in synthetic blends (typical of the 90s). The colors are jarring—bright blues and reds—clashing beautifully with the earthy background.
• 🧣 The Lungi Tuck: When not playing, Kittan wears checkered lungis, often folded up (Madras style) to reveal the sturdy calves required for a raider.

💡 Trend Adaptation: This is “Gorpcore” meets “Gym-Bro.” Don’t wear a lungi to the gym, but do embrace Oversized Ribbed Vests in white or grey. Pair them with retro, mid-length athletic shorts (think 70s runner style) for a look that says you train for performance, not Instagram.

2. Anupama Parameswaran (Raani): The 90s Village Belle

Anupama plays Raani, a character deeply rooted in the soil. Her wardrobe is a nostalgic trip back to the “Half-Saree” (Davani) era of the late 90s South India.

The Look Deconstructed:

• 👗 The Davani (Half Saree): Contrasting color blocks. A mustard skirt with a deep green blouse and a reddish dupatta. The fabrics are pure cotton or poly-cotton blends that drape stiffly, unlike modern flowing chiffons.
• 🌸 The Details: Minimal gold jewelry (likely rolled gold/imitation as per character status) and invariably, a string of jasmine flowers in oiled, plaited hair.
• 💄 The ‘No-Makeup’ Look: Sun-kissed skin, possibly darkened with bronzer to reflect days spent working in the fields.

💡 Trend Adaptation: The Color-Block Half Saree is making a comeback for festive wear. Ditch the heavy embroidery. Choose solid colors in cotton-silk fabrics. Pair a Mustard Skirt with a Violet Blouse for that authentic retro-South vibe.

3. The Palette: Red Soil & Faded Indigos

Mari Selvaraj’s films are defined by their color grading. In Bison, the clothes are extensions of the landscape.

• 🟤 Earthy Tones: The background cast (villagers, Rajisha Vijayan’s character) wears faded browns, brick reds, and dull greens. These colors camouflage them into the village setting, symbolizing their lack of power or voice.
• 🔵 The Pop of Blue: The Kabaddi jersey or the antagonist’s crisper shirt often provides a sharp blue or white contrast, symbolizing power or the “arena” where the battle happens.

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