Over the years, Rajkummar Rao has built a strong rapport with his audience through his impressive performances and thoughtful script choices. His films typically feature well-crafted narratives and relatable characters. In a bid to reinvent his image, he chose the script for Maalik, a classic rags-to-riches tale. After generating significant excitement with the trailer, the film premiered in theaters today.
Story
Deepak (played by Rajkummar Rao), hails from a poor family in Allahabad. Like many rags-to-riches protagonists, he dreams of transforming from a Naukar (servant) into a Maalik (owner). What obstacles does Deepak encounter on his journey to greatness? Does Shalini (Manushi Chhillar), Deepak’s wife, assist him in overcoming the turmoil he faces? What is Deepak’s connection with Minister Shankar Singh (Saurabh Shukla)? These elements weave together the remainder of the narrative.
Performances
While Rajkummar Rao delivers a solid performance as a formidable gangster, he is somewhat miscast in this role. A character like Maalik requires a certain inherent charisma that, regrettably, Rajkummar Rao does not fully embody. Saurabh Shukla shines as a corrupt politician, providing a notably strong performance. The rest of the cast offers average portrayals, which do not stand out significantly.
Behind the scenes
In terms of technical contributions, cinematographer Anuj Rakesh Dhawan deserves recognition for effectively capturing the gritty and authentic setting of 1990s Allahabad. However, editor Zubin Sheikh’s work is disappointing, particularly in the film’s second half, where at least twenty minutes could have been trimmed. The last forty minutes feel excessively drawn out, reflecting editorial misjudgment. The musical score by Sachin–Jigar and background music by Ketan Sodha are merely average.
Final Verdict
The success of the KGF and Pushpa franchises in Hindi markets highlights a strong demand for commercial action films in India, contrasting with Bollywood’s recent struggles to deliver compelling content. Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik attempts to capitalize on this potential but falls short due to its predictability and lack of the “swag” typical for mass heroes. While Rao delivers a decent performance, his portrayal of a gangster lacks the necessary style, resulting in a forced and mismatched character. The film’s screenplay is routine and predictable, with a clichéd twist and poorly executed conflicts that fail to engage the audience.
Overall, Maalik offers a watchable first half but a disappointing second half, suggesting it’s better suited for an OTT release than a theatrical viewing.
