Filmmaker Mari Selvaraj has shared his overwhelming surprise and joy at receiving praise from veteran director Maniratnam. The acclaim came following the success of his film Bison, which is being widely celebrated for both its box-office performance and its critical reception.
In a recent interview, Mari Selvaraj revealed that he had not anticipated any message of appreciation from Maniratnam. “When the message arrived, I was genuinely shocked,” he admitted. He explained that Maniratnam had already praised his earlier film Vaazhai after a private viewing, and now with Bison too, the acknowledgement felt like a reaffirmation: the earlier confidence shown by Mani Ratnam had been validated.
Bison has reportedly earned over 60 crore worldwide and continues to draw attention across audiences and trade circles. Mari Selvaraj noted that the endorsement from such an established filmmaker carries more weight than any public review or box-office figure. He said this recognition makes him feel that he has fulfilled the trust placed in him and motivates him for his next projects.
Mari Selvaraj’s upcoming lineup includes a film with Dhanush, another with Karthi, and, as per recent industry buzz, one with Inban Udhayanidhi. He emphasized that these projects are being conceived at a scale that he believes will elevate his directorial journey further. With Maniratnam’s appreciation and the success of Bison, Mari Selvaraj appears poised to take his craft to new heights – one that blends commercial appeal with meaningful storytelling.