A Familiar Tale with a Fresh Face
Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik throws us back into the bullet-ridden badlands of 80s-90s Allahabad, where power is seized not by ballots but by bullets. Directed by Pulkit, the film tries to capture the grit of North Indian gangster dramas. While the setting and structure feel like a throwback, Rao’s transformation into a menacing don gives the film a fresh edge, even if the narrative struggles to match his intensity.
The Plot — Predictable, Yet Packed with Power
In Maalik, we follow the journey of a man who wasn’t born a gangster, but was forced into one by circumstance. The arc is familiar — a righteous man cornered into crime, climbing the power ladder with bloodied hands. It’s a well-worn trope, and Maalik doesn’t stray far from the formula. If you’ve seen one mobster rise and fall, you’ve essentially seen this one too.
Despite that, the film manages to grip in parts — particularly when Rao is front and center. He delivers a volatile performance as the titular Maalik, swinging from stoic to savage without missing a beat. His dialogue delivery, body language, and complete makeover (beard, gold chains, the classic desi-don look) show a side of Rao rarely seen on screen.
Performances — Rajkummar Rao Roars
Rao’s Breakaway Role
Known as Bollywood’s poster-boy of the middle-class man, Rao steps out of his comfort zone and embraces a larger-than-life anti-hero. His scenes — from violent outbursts to quiet introspection — are loaded with intensity. One particularly chilling scene, where he humiliates a man in public, signals his total departure from the boy-next-door image.
Supporting Cast Holds Steady
The film is further lifted by strong supporting performances. Saurabh Shukla brings both gravitas and wit, Prosenjit Chatterjee adds a layer of brooding menace, while Saurabh Sachdeva returns in a haunting avatar. Manushi Chhillar, as the moral compass in Maalik’s life, adds emotional depth, though her screen time is limited to moments of calm in the chaos.
Direction & Cinematic Style — Loud, Bloody, and Raw
Director Pulkit, known for Bose: Dead or Alive, brings a tenacity to Maalik, but leans heavily into style over substance. The action is brutal — bone-crunching, blood-splattered, and relentless. There’s no dearth of gunfire, gore, and growls. While this may appeal to fans of high-voltage masala action, the lack of nuance in storytelling may leave others wanting more.
A Crime Drama That Feels Too Safe
Despite all the explosive elements — politics, betrayal, gun-wielding mayhem — Maalik doesn’t offer any surprises. Every plot twist, from romantic tragedy to loyalist betrayal, feels telegraphed. There’s an over-reliance on genre clichés, making the film feel like a remix of older, better-crafted gangster stories.
Final Verdict
Maalik is a gritty, testosterone-fueled crime saga that rides solely on the shoulders of Rajkummar Rao’s electrifying performance. But even his brilliance can’t fully elevate the film beyond its formulaic skeleton. For fans of desi gangster dramas with style, it’s an entertaining watch. For those looking for layered storytelling or originality, Maalik may fall short.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 Stars)
A compelling lead performance in a predictable plot. Rao fans won’t be disappointed, but the film doesn’t break new ground.
Maalik is currently running in cinemas across the country.