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

India.com

11-07-2025

Rajkummar Rao's one of the most anticipated films of this year, 'Maalik', has finally hit the big screens, which is based on the journey of a young boy who later becomes a gangster. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1980s, which revolves around the sacred city of Allahabad and portrays the journey of a farmer's son, who is against the societal norms and wants to create his own aura while shaping a new world that runs on his terms. Later, the story focuses on a person rising with power who has already made countless enemies but does not fear anyone because, according to him (Maalik bankar paida nahi hue toh kya hua, ban toh sakte hai) , has become his sole and only purpose. What Is The Plot Of Maalik?
The film follows the journey of a young man named Deepak from Allahabad who, shaped by poverty and injustice, rises to become a feared figure in the world of crime. Set in the politically turbulent 1980s, the story traces his transformation from an angry young guy into a ruthless gangster who commands power and loyalty. Soon after Deepak's channel into the role of Maalik, things get tricky for him because in this journey, he is not alone, he has a father, mother and a wife who would've been his strongest pillars, but as we say, harsh truth, sad reality, fate always has a different plan.
After becoming 'Maalik' as he starts to climb the ranks of the criminal underworld, he becomes both saviour and a threat to those around him. Along the way, he navigates murky alleys of dirty politics and betrayal, which weave a trail to make him fall. Later, the story delves into a question, whether Maalik's empire will hold its status or burn to ashes. The Performances In Maalik
Rajkummar Rao is a versatile actor who has given himself a shift from serious to comic roles that have always been a treat for his die-hard admirers. This time, he has tried to experiment with himself in an action avatar mode, which did not lived up to expectations. While watching him on screen, you will feel that he is trying harder and harder to delve into the role of a gangster, but sadly, the attempt seeks negative attention from the viewer's point.
The action sequences done by him are hit and miss, especially when the bar has already been set up by cult characters such as 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 attempt to embody a ruthless gangster, his performance feels restrained and fails to leave a lasting impact.
Manushi Chhillar, who plays the role of Shalini in the film as Maalik's better half, did justice to her role. But, somehow, it felt like she deserved much better because this is the first time when an actress like Manushi, who has always been a sparkling star in her other movies, channelled something which was completely out of her league, but managed to surpass the expectation from her praiseworthy performance.
The special mention for the supporting cast who have become the backbone of this predictable gangster drama. Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Swanand Kirkire, Anshuman Pushkar and Prosenjit Chatterjee have done a fantabulous work in this film. Despite not being a lead character, they knew how to seek out the best in their characters. Saurabh Sachdeva, Anshuman, and Prosenjit pulled out their characters with conviction, proving why they have always been show stealers. Cinematography and Editing Of Maalik
Anuj Rakesh Dhawan's cinematography captures the essence of 1980s Allahabad with a gritty realism that immerses the audience in the film's setting. The use of real locations in Allahabad and Lucknow add authenticity to the visual narrative. However, Zubin Sheikh's editing could have been tighter; the film's pacing suffers due to prolonged sequences that hinder the overall flow, and because of that the film's runtime feels stretched. Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack, composed by Sachin-Jigar with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, features songs like 'Naamumkin' and 'Dil Thaam Ke' that resonate well with the film's tone. Ketan Sodha's background score is a hit and miss in terms of the film's dramatic moments. The Direction and Writing Of Maalik
The direction and writing department, helmed by Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath, feels uninspired and predictable, due to which this gangster drama fails to elevate any kind of praiseworthy, whistle-worthy moments for the Rajkummar Rao fans. 'Maalik' does not make you feel that you are watching an action-packed film; it has big, fiery guns, but no spark at all.
Final Verdict
Overall, Rajkummar Rao's experimental flick showcases strong performances from its supporting cast and excels in technical aspects like cinematography and music, but it is a letdown due to an underwhelming lead performance, editing, and narrative that lacks cohesion. The film had the potential to be a compelling gangster saga if they had done it right, but ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying cinematic experience.
Rating- 2 /5