Rajkummar Rao Goes Badass in “Maalik” – New Gangster Movie Out Today


So, there's this crime movie called Maalik with Rajkummar Rao that just dropped in theaters. Rao's playing a tough gangster, which is a big change from what he usually does.

Pulkit directed it. Maalik shows a criminal boss making his way to the top in 1980s Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Think ambition, double-crossing, and fighting for control in a dark world. People have been talking about it, and it sounds like most critics and early moviegoers are digging it.

 A Gritty Crime Tale in the Making



The movie follows this small-time crook as he uses his smarts and ruthlessness to get to the top. Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath wrote this made-up story to give the gangster thing a real, intense feeling. The directing mixes drama with how things really are, showing the nasty side of surviving and being in charge.

A Cast That Nails It


Rajkummar Rao, as Maalik, is getting a lot of love for how he changed for the role. People are saying it might be the best thing he's ever done. He’s got the walk and the look down.

Manushi Chhillar is also getting props for playing a mature, strong character. Prosenjit Chatterjee is in it as a determined cop, and Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Anshumaan, Pushkar, Swanand Kirkire, and Medha Shankr all help make the cast awesome.

The back-and-forth between the characters, especially when they're fighting, makes the movie really pop.

Sound, Style & Action

Sachin-Jigar did the music, and Amitabh Bhattacharya wrote the lyrics. The songs are pretty catchy, like Dil Thaam Ke and Naamumkin. Ketan Sodha did the background music, which makes the movie feel even more intense.

Anuj Rakesh Dhawan did the camera work, Zubin Sheikh did the editing, and Vikram Dahiya choreographed the action. They all worked together to make a movie that looks great and hits you in the feels.

Opening Day & What to Expect

Even though people are saying good things, it looks like it might have a slow start with around 6,500 tickets sold ahead of time. Experts are saying it might make between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2.5 crore on day one. How it does over the weekend will depend on if people keep talking about it.

Lots of Movies Out, But a New Story

Maalik is up against Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan and Superman, plus Metro In Dino and Jurassic World: Rebirth are still playing.

Just so you know, this isn't a remake of that Malayalam film Malik (2021). This is something totally new – a Hindi crime movie set in North India.

The Early Word

People online are saying Rajkummar Rao is awesome as a bad guy, Pulkit’s directing is great, and the movie just feels real. Viewers seem into the strong dialogue and believable vibe.


If “Maalik” gets people to actually go see it, it could be one of those crime movies you remember.