Plot
The movie “Maalik” is set in the 1980s of Uttar Pradesh, where organized crime groups and local thugs held sway. Illicit activities such as sand smuggling, gang fights, and violent murders were common occurrences. The story revolves around Deepak (played by Rajkummar Rao), a farmer’s son who seeks power and recognition following his family suffering consequences after he refused to submit to his father’s overlord (Maalik).
Deepak chooses to act decisively and seeks retribution by committing his first murder, which results in his father’s injuries. This son of a common farmer transforms himself into ‘Maalik’, asserting dominance over the criminal underworld and rising as a merciless, ambitious, and powerful gangster. He shows no regard for law enforcement officials or politicians.
In his relentless ascent through the criminal underworld, politics, and power, Maalik accumulates a formidable array of adversaries: Minister Shankar Singh (Saurabh Shukla), MLA Balhar Singh (Swanand Kirkire), and business rival Chandrashekhar (Saurabh Sachdeva). The corrupt government responds by installing SP Prabhu Das, renowned for his 98 encounters, to pursue him. Can the politicians thwart Maalik’s burgeoning influence? Will SP Prabhu Dayal manage to apprehend him? Discover the answer in the movie.
What works for Maalik
In this new take, filmmaker Maalik showcases Rajkummar Rao in an unprecedented role. This movie offers numerous standout scenes that make for a captivating viewing experience for all audiences. The authentic cinematography by Anuj Rakesh Dhawan perfectly complements the setting. Additionally, Ketan Sodha’s background score is noteworthy and greatly enhances the impact of the gangster-themed storyline.
What doesn’t work for Maalik
Inconsistency plagues Maalik’s writing and filmmaking. Initially engaging, the movie loses steam in the latter part, becoming rather tedious, testing viewers’ patience. Its music is unremarkable, with an item number that interrupts the storyline and fails to bolster the plot.
As a lifestyle expert, I must share my thoughts on the recent gangster movie I watched, co-written and directed by Pulkit, alongside Jyotsana Nath. While the film followed a familiar structure common to many gangster movies, it unfortunately didn’t bring anything fresh or innovative to the table.
One aspect that could have been improved was the introduction of a formidable adversary for Rajkummar Rao, despite an impressive ensemble cast. The tension never escalated sufficiently, resulting in the film feeling more like a run-of-the-mill action-drama rather than an exceptional crime thriller.
Additionally, the climax left much to be desired and failed to deliver the gritty, edge-of-your-seat experience I was hoping for when it came to crime actioners. Overall, while the movie had its moments, it ultimately fell short of delivering a truly satisfying viewing experience for fans of the genre.
Watch Maalik Trailer
Performances in Maalik
In yet another demonstration of his exceptional acting skills, Rajkummar Rao delivers an impressive portrayal that seamlessly blends with the role he’s playing. His dedication to the character is palpable, and his performance is compellingly convincing. To a considerable extent, his acting serves as the backbone of the movie until other supporting actors come into play.
Apart from Rao, Anshuman Pushkar stands out with his compelling portrayal. However, Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Saurabh Sachdeva are not given much to work with in terms of substantial parts, but they all deliver solid performances. Ultimately, it is Swanand Kirkire’s captivating act that holds the audience’s attention.
As a devoted follower of the captivating performances, I find myself deeply impressed by Manushi Chhillar’s portrayal of Deepak’s wife on screen. However, her scenes leave me yearning for more refined and engaging writing to truly bring out her full potential.
Final verdict of Maalik
Maalik provides some enjoyable entertainment, yet is held back by uneven writing. If the creators had focused more on refining the script, it could have been a significant contribution to the gangster genre. Rajkummar Rao’s entry into action films results in a generally satisfactory experience.
Read More
- Grimguard Tactics tier list – Ranking the main classes
- 10 Most Anticipated Anime of 2025
- Gold Rate Forecast
- USD CNY PREDICTION
- Box Office: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Stomping to $127M U.S. Bow, North of $250M Million Globally
- Silver Rate Forecast
- Mech Vs Aliens codes – Currently active promos (June 2025)
- Black Myth: Wukong minimum & recommended system requirements for PC
- “Golden” Moment: How ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Created the Year’s Catchiest Soundtrack
- Castle Duels tier list – Best Legendary and Epic cards
2025-07-11 18:22