Maalik (2025) Movie: Gangster Drama That Proves Rajkummar Rao Can Do Action (But Should He?)

Maalik (2025) marks director Pulkit’s debut, presenting a raw gangster drama that explores the dark underbelly of political corruption and organized crime in 1980s India. The film was theatrically released on 11 July 2025 and stars Rajkummar Rao in a gripping story about a man’s rise to power in the underworld.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast led by Rajkummar Rao alongside Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Manushi Chhillar. Produced by Kumar S Taurani and Jay Shewakramani, with music composed by Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya, the film represents a significant departure from Rao’s typical character-driven roles.

Maalik Movie Casting

Plot and Storyline

Set in 1988, Maalik follows Deepak aka Maalik (Rajkummar Rao), a gangster based in Allahabad who operates under the protection of local political leader Shankar Singh aka Dadda (Saurabh Shukla). The narrative intensifies when Dadda mentors MLA Balhar Singh (Swanand Kirkire), who grows increasingly frustrated with Maalik’s rising power.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Maalik kills a police officer for stopping his trucks at a checkpoint. This forces the MLA to assign Prabhu Das (Prosenjit Chatterjee) as the new SP of Allahabad. Prabhu Das arrives with an intimidating track record of 98 encounters and a history of suspension for his controversial methods.

This sets up a compelling cat-and-mouse game between the ruthless gangster and the equally determined law enforcement officer. The storyline explores themes of political corruption, the nexus between criminals and politicians, and the moral complexities of justice in a system where power often trumps righteousness.

Cast Performance

Rajkummar Rao delivers his most intense performance to date, with critics noting that he is restrained yet relentless and brings calculation beneath calm, threat lurking in silence to the character. His physical transformation for the role has been particularly noteworthy, as he reportedly worked extensively on building a more muscular physique.

I found Rao’s portrayal of Maalik particularly compelling because it showcases a different facet of his acting abilities. He moves away from his usual nuanced, everyman characters to embrace a more aggressive and commanding screen presence. Critics have praised his performance, with one noting that He’s at his visceral best in this gangster drama.

Supporting performances from the ensemble cast add depth to the narrative. Prosenjit Chatterjee brings gravitas to his role as the encounter specialist cop, while Saurabh Shukla provides the political machinations with his characteristic intensity. Huma Qureshi and Manushi Chhillar contribute to the film’s emotional core, though their roles appear to be somewhat underutilized.

What We Liked

The film’s primary strength lies in Rajkummar Rao’s committed performance and his successful transformation into a convincing gangster protagonist. Director Pulkit shows ambition and demonstrates a keen eye for atmospherics and character detail, creating a gritty visual aesthetic that effectively captures the lawless atmosphere of 1980s Allahabad.

The cinematography and production design deserve special mention for creating an authentic period setting. The film’s technical aspects, including action choreography and sound design, contribute to building tension and maintaining the dark, brooding atmosphere throughout the narrative.

I particularly appreciated how the film exhibits sensibility gritty visuals, measured scares, and thematic depth, suggesting that despite its flaws, it succeeds in creating a visceral viewing experience that resonates with audiences seeking intense crime dramas.

Areas for Improvement

Critics have noted that the film suffers from a relentless rampage of gore and is trope-heavy while shunning any kind of originality. The predictable storytelling has been a significant criticism, with many reviewers pointing out that the film follows familiar gangster movie conventions without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.

The director’s desire to give Maalik a larger-than-life aura, possibly with a sequel in mind, prevents the film from earning the finality it needs. This suggests that the film’s ambitions for franchise building may have compromised its standalone narrative effectiveness.

The pacing issues become particularly apparent in the second half, with critics noting a boring second half that dragged on and on with a very predictable screenplay. The film appears to lose momentum after a strong first half, failing to maintain audience engagement throughout its runtime.

Music and Technical Aspects

The musical score by Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya complements the film’s dark tone, though it doesn’t appear to have produced any standout tracks that have gained significant popular attention. The background score effectively supports the intense action sequences and dramatic moments.

The film’s technical execution, including editing and sound design, maintains professional standards, though some critics have noted that the excessive violence and gore may overshadow the story’s emotional core.

Critical Reception and Ratings

Hindustan Times rated the film 3/5 stars, noting that Despite its flaws, Maalik stands tall, much like its hero, punching above its weight thanks to Rajkummar Rao’s fiery energy. However, Bollywood Hungama gave the film 2 stars out of 5, indicating mixed critical reception.

The film currently holds a 7.6 rating on IMDb, suggesting that audiences have responded more favorably than some critics. This disparity between critical and audience reception is not uncommon for gangster films, which often find their audience among viewers who appreciate the genre’s conventions.

Professional critics have generally acknowledged Rajkummar Rao’s performance while expressing reservations about the film’s originality and narrative structure. The consensus appears to be that while the film succeeds as a showcase for Rao’s versatility, it falls short of delivering a truly memorable or innovative gangster drama.

Public Response and Audience Reception

Early audience reactions have been mixed, with many praising Rajkummar Rao’s transformation and intense performance while expressing disappointment with the film’s predictable plot progression. Social media responses indicate that fans of the actor appreciate seeing him in a different avatar, though general audiences have found the story lacking in originality.

Some reviews suggest that the film has a watchable first half at best but recommend waiting for its OTT release rather than theatrical viewing. This indicates that while the film has its merits, it may not justify the full cinematic experience for all viewers.

Final Verdict

Maalik (2025) represents an ambitious but ultimately flawed attempt at creating a gritty gangster drama. While Rajkummar Rao’s transformative performance and director Pulkit’s visual sensibilities create moments of genuine intensity, the film is hampered by predictable storytelling and over-reliance on genre conventions.

I believe the movie succeeds as a showcase for Rao’s versatility but fails to establish itself as a memorable entry in the gangster film genre. Despite its shortcomings, the film offers enough entertainment value for fans of crime dramas and those interested in seeing Rajkummar Rao in a dramatically different role.

The technical aspects are competent, and the period setting is convincingly rendered, making it a decent one-time watch for genre enthusiasts.

Rating: 3/5