What happens when a powerhouse performer like Rajkummar Rao steps out of his comfort zone to play a blood-soaked, bullet-dodging gangster? You get Maalik — a film that tries to leave a mark in the crowded world of Indian crime sagas but ends up rehashing the same old formula. In this detailed maalik movie review, we break down everything that works (and what doesn’t) in this gritty, mist-laden, and violence-fueled tale.
Let’s get into it.
The Premise: Power, Pride, and Predictability
Set in Allahabad during the late 1990s, Maalik traces the transformation of Deepak (played by Rajkummar Rao) from an athletic college student into a feared underworld don. The reason? The usual — a bruised ego, family honor, and a society that keeps men like Deepak under its heel. He decides he won’t be a servant anymore. He wants to be the maalik — the master.
Teaming up with his college buddy Badauna (Anshumaan Pushkar), Deepak quickly carves out a criminal empire so terrifying that even the police refuse to go near. Except for one, of course.
Sound familiar? That’s because it is.
Rajkummar Rao as Deepak: A Risky Role That Doesn’t Fully Land
We’ve seen Rajkummar Rao portray a wide spectrum of characters — from a shy lover to a hardened cop — but Maalik is his boldest transformation yet. He’s bulked-up, soaked in blood, and speaks in punchy, philosophical one-liners. But something doesn’t click.
He looks like a gangster. He even talks like one. But he never quite feels like one.
His portrayal of Deepak feels a bit like watching a rehearsal — polished, but lacking that raw, lived-in authenticity. Rao tries to channel the aura of a Scarface-type antihero, but the emotional depth? Missing in action.
Villains, Allies & Everything In Between: Who Stands Out?
Surprisingly, it’s not Rao’s Deepak who steals the show. It’s Swanand Kirkire as Balhar — a two-faced schemer who switches loyalties like a chameleon. He’s clever, greasy, and hard to pin down — everything you want in a great side character.
Then there’s:
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Saurabh Shukla as Shankar, Deepak’s mentor-turned-enemy.
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Prosenjit Chatterjee as the determined cop from Kolkata, Prabhu.
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Manushi Chhillar as Shalini, Deepak’s wife and only moral compass.
Unfortunately, most of them feel underutilized — like chess pieces moved for plot convenience rather than emotional impact.
Pulkit’s Direction: Style Over Substance?
Directed by Pulkit, Maalik is sleek. No doubt about it.
The visuals by Anuj Rakesh Dhawan are top-tier — moody, foggy frames, blood-drenched slow-mos, and dramatic camera angles scream big-budget ambition. The editing by Zubin Sheikh is tight, giving the film a snappy, almost music-video rhythm.
But here’s the kicker — all that gloss can’t hide the fact that the story lacks soul.
The narrative is overly familiar. From the rise-to-power arc to the inevitable betrayal and the shootout-heavy climax, Maalik never strays from the well-worn crime saga path. It borrows tropes but adds little originality.
The Script: Heavy on Dialogue, Light on Surprise
The script, co-written by Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath, is filled with punchy lines and dramatic monologues, but the plot beats are so predictable you can see them coming a mile away.
We get it. Deepak’s a tortured soul. But what about nuance?
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Where’s the internal conflict?
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Where’s the moral dilemma?
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Where’s the uniqueness?
The writers had a chance to explore the why behind Deepak’s descent into darkness, but they settle for the what instead.
Missed Opportunities: So Much Potential, So Little Payoff
Let’s be honest: the idea of an antihero rising in small-town India isn’t new — Gangs of Wasseypur, Mirzapur, Rangbaaz — we’ve seen it done better and bolder.
Maalik had the actors. It had the technical crew. But it lacked the narrative courage to break new ground. What could’ve been a layered psychological drama ended up as another hero with a gun flick maalik movie review.
Action & Gore: Stylish But Shallow
If you’re in it for the action — you won’t be disappointed. The movie doesn’t shy away from blood. From public executions to slow-motion shootouts, the film delivers its share of violence, sometimes even leaning into Tarantino territory.
But remember — action without emotional investment is like fire without heat. It looks good, but it doesn’t burn.
Manushi Chhillar as Shalini: A Lone Voice of Reason
In the middle of this testosterone-fueled chaos, Manushi Chhillar as Shalini brings a breath of sincerity. Her character tries to anchor Deepak, pull him back from the abyss, and inject some humanity into his transformation.
But again, the film gives her little room to grow. She’s not written as a fully fleshed-out partner — more like a check box to justify Deepak’s occasional conscience pangs.
Performances Recap: Who Shines?
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Rajkummar Rao: Ambitious attempt, but falls short of depth.
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Swanand Kirkire: Steals every scene he’s in. Pure gold.
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Prosenjit Chatterjee: Intense but underexplored.
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Manushi Chhillar: Warm, poised, underwritten.
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Saurabh Shukla: Reliable as always, but not given enough punch.
The Final Act: Climax Without Catharsis
The climax of Maalik should have been explosive. Instead, it feels inevitable. There’s no twist. No grand moral statement. Just another bullet ballet that checks the “gangster movie” box and moves on.
By the time the credits roll, you’re left asking: “What was the point of all this?”
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict of this maalik movie review?
Maalik wants to be a crime epic, a Shakespearean tragedy set in the badlands of Uttar Pradesh. But it never rises above imitation. It’s slick, stylish, and well-acted in parts — but the writing lacks originality, the emotions don’t stick, and even Rajkummar Rao can’t lift it above mediocrity.
It’s like cooking biryani with all the spices but forgetting the salt. Looks great. Smells amazing. But falls flat on the first bite.
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After The Conclusion: Should You Watch It?
If you’re a die-hard fan of Rajkummar Rao, it might be worth a watch — just to see him stretch his acting muscles in a different direction. But if you’re looking for something fresh in the gangster genre? Maybe wait for the next big thing.
