Maalik Movie Review – Rajkummar Rao’s Intensity Shines, But the Empire Feels Hollow

Yes, we know. Maalik was released on 11th July, and here we are finally reviewing it in September. Blame it on the never-ending rain, deadlines that keep piling up like Mumbai traffic, and the tiny fact that Rajkummar Rao films deserve to be watched with a calm head, not while juggling WhatsApp pings and unpaid bills. Call it late, but hey—better a delayed review than missing a gangster saga altogether!

The Story Told in Flashbacks

Pulkit’s Maalik follows Deepak, a farmer’s son who grows into the dreaded mafia kingpin of 1990s Allahabad. Told largely in flashbacks, the film tries to answer a big question: Why is Maalik the Maalik? The device works in giving the story layers, but also slows things down, especially in the second half, where intensity turns into indulgence.

Visual Highs

What immediately works are the visuals. The aerial shots are slick, the gritty frames capture the chaos of UP politics and power struggles, and the film looks far more polished than one would expect. The atmosphere feels authentic, and that’s half the battle won in a gangster drama.

Performances – Strong but Underwhelming

The supporting cast boasts big names—Huma Qureshi, Manushi Chhillar, Anshumaan Pushkar, Saurabh Shukla, Swanand Kirkire, Prosenjit Chatterjee—but their characters never land with full impact. They feel strong on paper, but weak in execution. This imbalance leaves the film heavily resting on Rajkummar Rao’s shoulders.

Rajkummar Rao – The Core of Maalik

Rao, with his bearded, brooding intensity, is both ruthless and magnetic. His performance is the film’s beating heart. He balances ambition and menace with the quiet vulnerability of a man shaped by loyalty and betrayal. Without him, Maalik would collapse under the weight of its uneven storytelling.

The Verdict

Maalik is gritty, stylish, and occasionally gripping. But it isn’t unforgettable. For fans of Rajkummar Rao, it’s definitely a one-time watch, bolstered by some impressive visuals. For others, it might feel like another crime drama that raises big questions but doesn’t quite land the answers.

Neel Writes Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)

A late review, yes—but sometimes coming late to the party helps you see the cracks no one noticed while the music was still loud.