Film Review: Maalik – Rajkummar Rao’s Gangster Drama Lacks Originality
Release Date: 2025 | Director: Pulkit | Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Manushi Chhillar, Swanand Kirkire, Prosenjit Chatterjee
Pulkit’s Maalik attempts to reimagine Rajkummar Rao as a brooding Allahabad gangster (1988–1990) but drowns in clichés. Rao plays Deepak, a farmer’s son turned ruthless "maalik" (master), whose rise involves blood-soaked vengeance against societal oppression. Yet, despite Rao’s physical transformation and slow-motion swagger, the film offers nothing new to the Hindi heartland crime genre.
Underwritten Characters: Manushi Chhillar’s Shalini and Prosenjit Chatterjee’s cop Prabhu add little depth.
Lengthy Runtime: At 152 minutes, repetitive violence replaces narrative innovation.
Swanand Kirkire steals scenes as the cunning, triple-crossing Balhar.
Technical prowess: Anuj Dhawan’s cinematography and Zubin Sheikh’s editing lend slick polish.
Verdict:
"Rao struggles to transcend the script’s limitations, performing rather than embodying the role. Maalik is a masterclass in wasted potential—Kirkire’s Balhar outshines the ‘master’ himself."
In Theaters Now | Runtime: 2h 32m
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