There are three major releases this Friday. Hollywood film Superman, Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor’s Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, and Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar’s Maalik. Directed by Pulkit, Maalik stars Rajkummar Rao, Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Anshuman Pushkar, and Prosenjit Chatterjee in pivotal roles. Rajkummar Rao is on a roll, and in Maalik, he delivers one of his fiercest, most layered performances yet. This gangster-political thriller set in the dusty lanes of 1988’s Prayagraj is a punchy mix of power, politics, betrayal, and ambition.
Maalik Story
Set in the political underbelly of 1988 Allahabad and Lucknow, Maalik tracks the journey of a simple man, Deepak (Rajkummar Rao) — a simple farmer’s son who’s thrust into the world of crime after a personal tragedy flips his life upside down. He was caught in the storm of ambition, survival, and betrayal. What starts as a quest for survival slowly morphs into a ruthless climb to power, as Deepak becomes “Maalik” — a man both feared and followed.
Along the way, he faces betrayals, bloodshed, and moral conflicts that blur the line between right and wrong. His bond with Shalini (Manushi Chhillar), who wants to pull him away from the chaos for the sake of their child, adds a quiet emotional heartbeat to the otherwise gritty narrative.
Maalik Review
Pulkit has directed Maalik with a tight pace. Yes, a familiar plot with the first half sets up the emotional and psychological core of the story, while the second half goes full throttle with action and payoff. The screenplay is sharp, filled with twists, pain, and powerful one-liners that echo the golden era of Amitabh Bachchan’s angry young man days. The dialogues? Pure fire. “Maalik paida nahi hue toh kya, ban toh sakte hain” gives you goosebumps in the best way.
The gritty tone never wavers. Whether it’s a political meeting or a brutal face-off, everything feels real and rooted. What works best is the balance — action is high-octane but never mindless, and emotional moments land without melodrama.
Real locations, that dust-soaked look of 80s Uttar Pradesh, haunting background score, and striking cinematography make Maalik a visual and emotional experience. The world feels lived-in, raw, and authentic. The scenes between Deepak and Prosenjit Chatterjee’s cop character. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic keeps you locked in. The film has nothing new to offer is what disappoints the fans, who are looking for something new and different.
Maalik Performances
This is Rajkummar Rao’s show, and he owns every single frame. His transformation from an innocent son to a feared Maalik is chilling. He nails the dialect, the rage, the vulnerability — and those intense stares could silence a room. This is Rajkummar Rao’s most different and commanding performance in years.
Manushi Chhillar as Shalini brings a quiet strength that complements Deepak’s chaos. She anchors his emotional arc, especially in the film’s softer, more tender moments.
Prosenjit Chatterjee, as the encounter specialist officer, is brilliant. Calm but menacing, calculated but ferocious — his character brings a strong narrative tension.
Saurabh Shukla, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Saurabh Sachdeva all deliver meaty performances. Even with limited screen time, they bring depth and weight. Huma Qureshi, with her electrifying item number Dil Thaam Ke, lights up the screen and leaves a lasting impression with her energy and attitude.
Final Verdict
Maalik is not just about guns and power — it’s about survival, legacy, and the choices that make or break a man. Maalik doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — it sticks to genre roots but thrives on emotion, depth, and performances that hit hard. If you enjoy raw, rooted gangster dramas with strong character arcs and powerful storytelling, Maalik won’t disappoint. A gritty, intense saga that packs both emotion and fire.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
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