Maalik Review: Rajkummar Rao’s action drama is a predictable ride, which has no spark

Rajkummar Rao’s most-awaited film, Maalik, has hit the theatres. The film also features Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Swanand Kirkire, Anshuman Pushkar and Prosenjit Chatterjee. Check out complete review.

Jul 11, 2025 - 21:30
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Maalik Review: Rajkummar Rao’s action drama is a predictable ride, which has no spark

Rajkummar Rao’s one of many most anticipated films of this one year, ‘Maalik’, has lastly hit the big screens, which is based on the slip of a younger boy who later becomes a gangster. The film is determined against the backdrop of the 1980s, which revolves around the sacred city of Allahabad and portrays the slip of a farmer’s son, who's against the societal norms and desires to form his be pleased charisma while shaping a brand new world that runs on his terms. Later, the account focuses on a person rising with energy who has already made limitless enemies but doesn't apprehension someone because, in step with him (Maalik bankar paida nahi hue toh kya hua, ban toh sakte hai), has turn into his sole and only motive.

What Is The Disclose Of Maalik?

The film follows the slip of a younger man named Deepak from Allahabad who, shaped by poverty and injustice, rises to turn into a feared figure on this planet of crime. Residence in the politically turbulent 1980s, the account traces his transformation from an indignant younger man into a ruthless gangster who commands energy and loyalty. Quickly after Deepak’s channel into the fair of Maalik, things earn refined for him because in this slip, he's no longer alone, he has a father, mom and a well-known other who would’ve been his strongest pillars, but as we are asserting, harsh truth, unhappy fact, destiny always has a distinct plot.

After changing into “Maalik” as he begins to climb the ranks of the prison underworld, he becomes both saviour and a possibility to those around him. Along the methodology, he navigates murky alleys of dirty politics and betrayal, which weave a slump to construct him fall. Later, the account delves into a quiz, whether Maalik’s empire will protect its attach or burn to ashes.

The Performances In Maalik

Rajkummar Rao is a flexible actor who has given himself a shift from well-known to comedian roles which personal always been a treat for his die-hard admirers. This time, he has tried to experiment with himself in an motion avatar mode, which didn't lived up to expectations. Whereas looking out at him on display cowl, you are going to feel that he is making an strive more difficult and more difficult to delve into the fair of a gangster, but sadly, the strive seeks destructive consideration from the viewer’s level.

The motion sequences performed by him are hit and leave out, particularly when the bar has already been fair up by cult characters corresponding to Bhiku Mhatre from ‘Satya’, Sardar Khan from ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’, Chandan Mahto from ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter,’ Sultan and Faizal Khan from ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ franchise. Despite the physical transformation and the strive to embody a ruthless gangster, his performance feels restrained and fails to leave a lasting impact.

Manushi Chhillar, who performs the fair of Shalini in the film as Maalik’s well-known other, did justice to her fair. But, in a technique, it felt relish she deserved seriously better because here is the first time when an actress relish Manushi, who has always been a radiant star in her other motion footage, channelled something which became utterly out of her league, but managed to surpass the expectation from her praiseworthy performance.

The particular mention for the supporting solid who personal turn into the backbone of this predictable gangster drama. Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Swanand Kirkire, Anshuman Pushkar and Prosenjit Chatterjee personal performed a fantabulous work in this film. Despite no longer being a lead persona, they knew detect out the correct in their characters. Saurabh Sachdeva, Anshuman, and Prosenjit pulled out their characters with conviction, proving why they've always been bid stealers.

Cinematography and Modifying Of Maalik

Anuj Rakesh Dhawan’s cinematography captures the essence of 1980s Allahabad with a gritty realism that immerses the viewers in the film’s environment. The utilization of real areas in Allahabad and Lucknow add authenticity to the visual story. Then once more, Zubin Sheikh’s enhancing can were tighter; the film’s pacing suffers as a consequence of prolonged sequences that hinder the overall drift, and as a consequence of that the film’s runtime feels stretched.

Song and Sound Invent

The soundtrack, mild by Sachin-Jigar with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, capabilities songs relish “Naamumkin” and “Dil Thaam Ke” that resonate effectively with the film’s tone. Ketan Sodha’s background accept is a success and leave out by methodology of the film’s dramatic moments.

The Route and Writing Of Maalik

The route and writing department, helmed by Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath, feels uninspired and predictable, as a consequence of which this gangster drama fails to elevate any form of praiseworthy, whistle-mighty moments for the Rajkummar Rao fans. ‘Maalik’ doesn't construct you are feeling that you are looking out at an motion-packed film; it has big, fiery weapons, but no spark the least bit.

Final Verdict

Overall, Rajkummar Rao’s experimental flick showcases solid performances from its supporting solid and excels in technical aspects relish cinematography and track, nevertheless it's a letdown as a consequence of an underwhelming lead performance, enhancing, and story that lacks cohesion. The film had the aptitude to be a compelling gangster saga if that they had performed it apt, but eventually fails to bring a luscious cinematic journey.

Ranking- 2 /5

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