Maalik

Maalik (2025) : Movie Review -

Maalik finally brings Rajkummar Rao in a rugged, massy, action-packed avatar - a side we've rarely seen from the otherwise versatile actor. But unfortunately, even his intense screen presence isn't enough to salvage this outdated and tedious gangster drama. The film, written by Jyotsana Nath and directed by Pulkit, seems determined to stick to a template that has long run its course, offering nothing new or compelling in terms of storytelling or emotional depth.

The plot follows a young married man whose father, a servant (naukar), expects him to remain subservient. However, the son has bigger dreams - to become a Maalik, a master of his own fate. When his father is attacked, he retaliates with brutal violence, murdering the assailant in a public place and quickly rising to power. As he gains control over the local area and establishes himself as a feared don, new enemies emerge, threatening not just his kingdom but his family too. What follows is a barrage of gang wars, emotional outbursts, and a blood-soaked journey that feels more exhausting than exhilarating.

The biggest flaw of Maalik is its stale writing. It echoes the 90s-style gangster saga without adding a shred of originality. Each twist is telegraphed, every emotional beat feels recycled, and the pacing drags endlessly over a bloated runtime of nearly two and a half hours. The film lacks compelling conflicts, and whatever is presented feels hollow or overdone. Where recent films like Animal (2023) dared to blend artistry with brutality, Maalik merely copies the genre's worst clichés.

Rajkummar Rao does his best with what he's given. This is certainly his most commercial, mass-oriented performance, and while it's far from his best work, it's an interesting experiment in image reinvention. Sadly, he's let down by a weak script and uninspired direction. Manushi Chhillar has almost nothing to do except play the obligatory love interest, a role seen in countless gangster dramas before. Among the supporting cast, Prosenjit Chatterjee brings some gravitas, though his character arc is underwritten. Saurabh Sachdeva is effective in his limited screen time, while veterans like Saurabh Shukla and Swanand Kirkire manage to leave an impression despite the lack of substance. Others, including Anshumaan Pushkar, Rajendra Gupta, and Baljinder Kaur, remain forgettable in undercooked roles.

Technically, Maalik falters even further. The cinematography feels recycled, offering nothing fresh or dynamic in terms of visuals. The editing is sluggish, making the already stretched narrative feel even more monotonous. The background score, which should've heightened the film's tension, is underwhelming. Sachin-Jigar's music is passable at best, though thankfully not intrusive. Director Pulkit appears to be on autopilot here, delivering a film devoid of passion or urgency. There's no personal stamp or creative risk in the storytelling - it's as if the film was made by ticking boxes rather than telling a story that mattered. With a more daring script and tighter execution, Maalik might have become a gripping underworld saga. Instead, it ends up being a hollow shell, wasting time, talent, and opportunity. Overall, Maalik tries to roar but barely makes a whimper. Even with Rajkummar Rao going full throttle in action mode, the film fails to rise above its formulaic structure. It's yet another example of how star power alone can't compensate for poor storytelling. In short, as a film, Maalik fails to become a Maalik.

RATING - 4/10*

Rajkummar Rao once again proves he's one of the most versatile actors in Bollywood. In Maalik, he delivers a layered, intense performance - playing a man caught between power, loyalty, and inner chaos. You can feel every emotion in his eyes - from quiet rage to silent pain. 🎭

The film blends political drama with psychological tension, giving us a slow-burn story that builds as it unfolds. The writing is smart, though the pacing at times felt a bit stretched. Some subplots could've been tighter.

The cinematography and background score elevate the mood beautifully. And the dialogues? Sharp, thought-provoking, and at times haunting.

Maalik tries to swagger into the world of gangster epics but ends up as a formulaic slog that offers nothing new beyond a strong central performance by Rajkummar Rao. With its familiar tropes, a dragged-out second half, and a total lack of narrative surprises, the film is yet another forgettable entry in the overpopulated gangster-politics crossover space. The treatment lacks freshness, and the tonality feels uneven.

There is absolutely nothing in the storyline that hasn't been done and done better in countless gangster films before it. The screenplay has a few serviceable moments, but for the most part, it trudges along predictably. There's little to no narrative tension, and the film leans heavily on archetypes instead of creating compelling characters. If you're a die-hard fan of gangster dramas and can overlook predictability in favor of gritty performances, you might find some value here.

Rajkummar Rao, as always, gives it his all. He slips into the role of a hardened gangster with convincing intensity, and even when the film falters, his performance remains grounded and compelling. Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, and Swanand Kirkire delivers decent performance. Anshumaan Pushkar is a pleasant surprise. Coming off his powerful performance in 12th Fail, he delivers another nuanced act. Saurabh Sachdeva and Prosenjit Chatterjee start strong, with menacing screen presence, but their arcs fade quickly into predictable caricatures. Huma Qureshi's item number is as forgettable as it is unnecessary.

Direction 2/5 Acting 2.5/5 Dialogues 2/5 Story 2/5 Screenplay 1.5/5.

Maalik is a gangster drama which tries to be so much but lacks the core writing to land at that level. Although it's refreshing to see Rajkummar playing something other than his typecast and he does a good job with his looks and acting. Manushi is just decent and does her minimal job. Saurabh Shukla and Saurabh Sachdeva tend to be strong characters of this world but their characters have been written terribly and lack any context or motivation. The Maalik title score is good but hasn't been materialised well in the film and many scenes which could have been better are let down by an underwhelming background score that doesn't give them the elevation needed.

The movie's biggest flaw is its screenplay and writing. 3/3

fails to connect you with its emotions and the motivations of its characters. The first half is mostly dull and gradual, except for the interval act which creates the high the film needs. Few dialogues have been written well. Just when the movie begins to pick up grip and pace, it gets interrupted by the romantic plot between Raj and Manushi and completely forgets about the crucial event that had taken place. The action cinematography and gun fighting look good in the setup, but the audience is unable to connect with those intense emotions. Overall, Maalik comes with Rajkummar's strong act but due to a weak script, it just does not turn out to be that praiseworthy.

OVERALL -4/10.

Why 1 star?

Script: completely predictable and uninspired.

Direction: lacks nuance or innovation.

Pacing: drags, especially post-intermission.

Characters: beyond Rao, most are one-dimensional or wasted roles.

Only the energy and charisma of Rao holds your gaze, but he's fighting a losing battle. The film does not respect your time or expectations. Maalik suffers from cliched storytelling that repeats gangster tropes without any fresh take

Rajkummar Rao's Acting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) Story & Screenplay ⭐ (flat, clichéd) Editing & Pacing ⭐ (much too long) Action & Violence ⭐ (indulgent, hollow) Overall Film Quality ⭐ (unoriginal, forgettable)