Maalik runs for about two and a half hours, but you don’t have to wait long to realize that it relies heavily on clichés. The story feels so familiar that you wonder why the filmmakers thought it was worth telling.
The main character, played by Rajkumar Rao, is a student at Allahabad University in the late 1980s who turns into a gangster. He chooses a life of crime to avenge the shame his farmer father suffered. Throughout the film, he defeats his enemies, but the pain he inflicts on screen often feels as harsh as the film itself.
The film follows a common plot in action films: a poor man who is determined to become the most powerful person by crushing anyone who comes in his way. However, he doesn’t bring anything new or innovative with this idea and instead relies on boring story twists.
What’s worse is that the sense of right and wrong is confused in the film. The criminal is portrayed as a hero, while the men who oppose him – a deadly encounter cop, a suspicious guide, a corrupt politician and a dangerous businessman – are equally bad, but none of them rise above their simple natures.
Overall, The Honor sticks to familiar ground but fails to present anything surprising or meaningful.
About Maalik Movie
| Directed by | Pulkit |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jyotsana Nath, Pulkit |
| Produced by | Kumar Taurani, Jay Shewakramani |
| Starring | Rajkummar Rao, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Manushi Chhillar |
| Cinematography | Anuj Rakesh Dhawan |
| Edited by | Zubin Sheikh |
| Music by | Songs: Sachin-JigarScore: Ketan Sodha |
| Production companies | Tips Industries, Northern Lights Films |
| Distributed by | Pen Marudhar |
| Release date | 11 July 2025 |
| Running time | 152 minutes |
Maalik Film Cast & Crew
| Director | Pulkit |
|---|---|
| Writers | Jyotsana Nath (writer)Pulkit (writer) |
| Cast | Rajkummar Rao as Deepak (Maalik)Huma QureshiManushi Chhillar as ShaliniSwanand Kirkire as Balhar SinghSaurabh Shukla as Shakti SinghProsenjit Chatterjee as Prabhu DasSaurabh Sachdeva as ChandrashekarAnshuman Pushkar as BadaunaSatish Badal TripathiShweta R ShrivastavaTushar Rungta as ManojRishi Raj Bhasin as Shashi BhushanMurari Kumar as PandijiAkshat Dixit as PappuRajendra Gupta as Maalik’s FatherAnil Jhamajham as Baljinder KaurYogi Raj as LangdaPramod Sharma (Truck Driver, credit only) |
| Producers | Savitri Dhami (executive producer)Jay Shewakramani (producer)Kumar Taurani (producer) |
| Composers | Sachin SanghviJigar SaraiyaKetan Sodha (background score) |
| Cinematographer | Anuj Rakesh Dhawan |
| Editor | Zubin Sheikh (film editor) |
Maalik Movie Budget & Collection
| Budget Details | Amount (in Crores) |
|---|---|
| Total Budget (including prints & advertising) | 65 Crores |
| Production Cost | 50 Crores |
| Prints & Advertising Cost | 15 Crores |
Plot
Maalik is an upcoming gangster drama directed by Pulkit, starring Rajkummar Rao and Huma Qureshi in the lead roles. The movie features a large supporting cast including Medha Shankar, Manushi Chhillar, Rishi Raj Bhasin, Anil Jhamajham, Shweta R Shrivastava, and others. Produced by Jay Shewakramani and Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films and Northern Lights Films banners, the film is written by Jyotsana Nath and Pulkit.
The story follows a man’s determined rise in the criminal underworld, combining intense action with strong social messages. Filled with drama and thrilling moments, it promises to deliver a powerful cinematic journey.
As Malik’s influence grows, so does the opposition against him. A suspended police officer, Prabhu Das (Prosenjit Chatterjee), is tasked with capturing Malik. The film chronicles Malik’s constant struggle for dominance and survival against his opponents, leading to a series of violent confrontations, betrayals, and ultimately the culmination of his chosen path.
Maalik Movie Review
Rajkummar Rao acted well as a fierce gangster, but he didn’t fully fit the role. The character Maalik needs a natural style and confidence, which Rajkummar missed. Saurabh Shukla did a good job playing the dishonest politician and stood out. Other actors gave normal performances without much to highlight.
Technical Parts:
Anuj Rakesh Dhawan’s camera work is worth mentioning for showing the raw and simple look of 1990s Allahabad well. But the editing by Zubin Sheikh was not good, especially in the second half where about twenty minutes could have been cut out. The last forty minutes felt too slow and stretched, which was a mistake by the editor. The songs by Sachin-Jigar and background music by Ketan Sodha were average. More about director and writer Pulkit’s work will be shared in the analysis part.
Over time, Rajkummar Rao has built a strong reputation with his acting and choice of scripts. Many of his movies have good stories and characters that people connect with. Trying to change his image, he picked the story of ‘Maalik’, about a rise from poverty to power. After the trailer raised interest, the film released in theaters today. How did Rajkummar Rao do in the tough role of a gangster? Did director Pulkit deliver a solid commercial action film? Did Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, finally get a hit? Let’s find out with a full review.
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