Maalik Movie Review
Star Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Manushi Chhillar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Anshumaan Pushkar, Swanand Kirkire, Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva
Director: Pulkit
Maalik Movie Review: Rajkummar Rao Deserves Better Than This Predictable Gangster Flick
It’s a shame to see a brilliant actor like Rajkummar Rao trapped in a movie that feels like a photocopy of every gangster film made in the last two decades. Director Pulkit’s Maalik is so formulaic, you can practically guess every scene from the opening credits to the final, underwhelming climax. It’s a classic case of predictable storytelling turning a promising premise into a forgettable film.
The story, set in the late 1980s, rehashes every worn-out trope in the gangster genre: a humble man’s rise to power, betrayal by a trusted associate, police corruption, and a cycle of brutal violence. From a scene reminiscent of KGF2 to the obligatory item song, the film feels less like an original creation and more like a checklist of gangland clichés. Even the dialogues feel uninspired, with no memorable lines that stand out.
Performance Review:
While the script lets him down, Rajkummar Rao delivers a technically sound performance, but his portrayal lacks the fiery impact needed for such a role. He’s “passable,” but you can’t help but feel that his immense talent is being squandered.
Among the supporting cast, Anshumaan Pushkar shines as Maalik’s loyal aide, his performance standing out as the best in the film. Veterans like Saurabh Shukla and Prosenjit Chatterjee start strong but are quickly reduced to routine, stereotypical characters. Saurabh Shukla, in particular, seems to be sleepwalking through his predictable villain role. Manushi Chhillar is okay in a limited romantic role, and the rest of the cast, including Huma Qureshi in a forgettable item number, fails to make a lasting impression.
Direction and Music:
Director Pulkit appears to have relied heavily on his action director and VFX team to fill the gaps left by the weak script. The emotions feel forced, and the overall narrative lacks any real depth or purpose.
Even the music, produced by Tips Music, is completely underwhelming. In a time when movie music seems to be on a steady decline, the soundtrack of Maalik adds another nail to the coffin.
The Last Word: A Skip-Worthy Gangster Film
If you’re a fan of gangster dramas, you’ve seen this movie a hundred times before. Maalik offers nothing new, nothing fresh, and nothing to justify its existence. It’s a film that proves a talented star cast can’t save a story that’s completely devoid of originality. Save your time and watch one of the many better films in this genre that came before it.
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