Maalik (2025) Movie: Rajkummar Rao’s Shocking Transformation Will Leave You Speechless
Maalik hits theaters on July 11, 2025, and it’s Rajkummar Rao’s boldest role yet. Directed by Pulkit, this gangster drama features Manushi Chhillar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Saurabh Shukla in key roles. The film is produced by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani under Tips Films banner.
| Movie Title: | Maalik |
| Release Date: | July 11, 2025 |
| Runtime: | 2h 30m |
| Director: | Pulkit |
| Genres: | Action, Drama, Thriller |
| Rating: | 7/10 star |
| Starring: | Saurabh Shukla, Manushi Chhillar, Rajkummar Rao |
| Production Company: | Tips Industries, Northern Lights Films |
| Lead Actor: | Rajkummar Rao |
Set in 1980s Allahabad, the movie promises a gritty look at the underworld. With Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya composing the music and Vikram Dahiya handling action choreography, this 152-minute film aims to be a complete entertainer.
Maalik Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Rajendra Gupta | |
| Anshumaan Pushkar | |
| Manushi Chhillar | Shalini |
| Saurabh Shukla | Shankar Singh |
| Huma Qureshi | Cameo |
| Saurabh Sachdeva | |
| Swanand Kirkire | |
| Rajkummar Rao | Maalik |
| Prosenjit Chatterjee |
A Story of Power and Survival
The plot follows a man’s dangerous climb through criminal ranks in Uttar Pradesh’s underworld. The story explores themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal against the backdrop of 1980s politics.
What makes this different from typical gangster films is its focus on social issues. The narrative doesn’t just show violence for shock value. Instead, it examines the circumstances that create such environments and the personal cost of choosing power over principles.
The film follows the classic rise-and-fall structure but grounds it in realistic situations. I found the period setting particularly effective in showing how socio-economic conditions shape criminal behavior.
Rajkummar Rao’s Physical Transformation
This is Rajkummar Rao like you’ve never seen him. The actor underwent a major physical transformation, building muscle mass to convincingly play a tough gangster. His performance balances ruthlessness with emotional depth beautifully.
Manushi Chhillar brings strength to her role as the female lead. While her screen time is limited, she makes every moment count. Her chemistry with Rao adds the human element this brutal story needs.
Prosenjit Chatterjee delivers a powerful supporting performance that adds gravitas to key scenes. Saurabh Shukla balances humor and menace perfectly, though I wish his character had more screen time.
Direction That Captures the Era
Director Pulkit maintains a consistent tone throughout. His vision for this crime thriller is clear, though some middle portions feel stretched. The film’s pacing occasionally slows down during character development segments.
The cinematography captures 1980s Allahabad perfectly. Every frame feels authentic to the period. The production design deserves special praise for recreating the era convincingly.
Action sequences are well-choreographed without becoming unnecessarily gory. They effectively show the brutal nature of this world while maintaining the film’s realistic tone.
Music That Fits the Mood
Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya create a score that complements the film’s dark atmosphere. The singles Naamumkin and Dil Thaam Ke work well within the narrative.
Raaj Karega Maalik serves as the perfect promotional anthem. Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics capture the characters’ struggles effectively, though some musical interludes feel forced.
What Works Really Well
Rajkummar Rao’s committed performance is the film’s biggest strength. His physical transformation shows dedication to the craft that’s rare in Bollywood today.
The authentic period setting and excellent technical work, especially production design and cinematography, create a believable world. The supporting cast, particularly the veteran actors, adds substantial depth.
I appreciated how the action sequences avoid unnecessary gore while still conveying the brutal reality of this world.
Areas That Could Be Better
The 152-minute runtime feels excessive. Tighter editing would have enhanced the overall impact significantly. Some character arcs feel underdeveloped, and the emotional core could be stronger.
The social commentary sometimes feels superficial rather than integrated naturally into the story. Some dialogue sequences are overly dramatic, which breaks the realistic tone.
Pacing issues in the middle portions slow down the momentum, particularly during character development scenes.
Critics and Public Love Rajkummar’s Performance
Early critics have praised Rajkummar Rao’s transformative performance and the film’s technical excellence. Filmibeat called it his career best performance in a gripping action thriller.
Public response has been encouraging, with audiences appreciating the gritty storytelling and Rao’s departure from comedy roles. The authentic period setting has resonated well with viewers.
Social media buzz suggests the film has found its audience among crime thriller fans. However, some viewers have mentioned the length as challenging, echoing critics’ pacing concerns.
The Bottom Line
Maalik represents a bold creative choice for both director Pulkit and Rajkummar Rao. Despite pacing issues and some underdeveloped elements, it succeeds as an engaging gangster drama.
The film’s commitment to period authenticity and attempt to blend social themes with crime thriller elements make it worth watching. Rajkummar Rao’s performance alone justifies the ticket price.
For viewers who enjoy character-driven crime stories and don’t mind longer runtimes, Maalik offers a satisfying experience. While it doesn’t redefine the genre, it establishes itself as a competent, content-driven commercial film.
Rating: 3.5/5
