The Story:
Set in 1990s Allahabad, Maalik follows the classic rise-and-fall arc of an underdog turned local strongman. Wronged and cornered, Maalik claws his way to power, only to be pulled down by the very system he tried to conquer. The story feels familiar, but it’s the telling that adds zing—especially in the first half.
What Works:
- Rajkummar Rao is the lifeline of this film. His transition from an unlikely hero to a full-blown action lead is both believable and charismatic. Think of him as a tougher cousin of Pritam Vidrohi from Bareilly Ki Barfi—fiery, focused, and full of flair.
- Humour and swag: Director Pulkit injects the first half with enough rooted humour and dramatic flair to keep the audience entertained.
- Supporting actors like Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee (as a no-nonsense cop), and Rajendra Gupta add depth and credibility.
- Manushi Chhillar delivers her most assured performance yet, playing Maalik’s wife with understated grace.
What Doesn’t:
- The second half drags, trying to tie up too many subplots. The runtime overstays its welcome by at least 20 minutes.
- Too many characters, too many conclusions: Maalik’s world gets crowded fast, and it takes away from the main arc.
- Songs like Dil Thaam Ke (despite Huma Qureshi’s special appearance) disrupt the film’s rhythm.
- A tighter edit by Zubin Sheikh could have made the action crisper and more impactful.
Verdict:
Maalik isn’t flawless, but it’s far from forgettable. Powered by Rajkummar Rao’s blazing presence and Pulkit’s flair for rustic action drama, the film lands several punches, even if it stumbles along the way. If you enjoy old-school rise-and-fall sagas spiced up with attitude and action, Maalik is worth a watch. And yes—if there’s a sequel, count us curious.