“Maalik” Arrives: Rajkummar Rao’s Gangster Saga Debuts to Mixed Reviews and Low Advance Buzz

Maalik, the gritty new gangster thriller starring Rajkummar Rao, hit theatres today amid significant anticipation for the actor’s bold transition into massy action territory. Directed by Pulkit, the film is set in late‑’80s Allahabad and traces Rao’s character’s transformation from rural roots to underworld power. Despite the hype, the launch has drawn divided critical response, slow advance bookings, and piracy concerns.

Rajkummar Rao’s Performance Steals the Show

Across multiple reviews, Rajkummar Rao emerges as the film’s strongest element:

The Hindustan Times praises his “fiery energy,” noting the film “stands tall” thanks to his performance, though with flaws.

ABP Live hails the film as “bloody, bold, and driven by a performance so ferocious it redefines Rajkummar Rao”.

India Today comments that Rao “enjoys the gritty role,” but the audience remains lukewarm due to predictable storytelling.

Moneycontrol is harsher, calling the film “a frustrating mess,” citing a lack of stakes and emotional depth despite a strong cast.

The Quint echoes this sentiment, lamenting that Maalik “repackages familiar gangster tropes without enough flare or emotional heft”.

Overall, while Rao’s raw intensity and commitment are widely lauded, many reviewers criticize the narrative’s reliance on clichés and lack of freshness.

Despite the buzz surrounding its release, Maalikstruggles in advance traction:

According to Times of India, only 6,500 advance tickets were sold before release—an unusually low number for a theatrical launch, signaling a sluggish start.

Koimoi corroborates this, noting that the film failed to rank among the top‑10 morning occupancy shows of 2025.

Jansatta’s live coverage estimated early day earnings between ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 crore by 4 PM, suggesting opening‑day success relies heavily on word‑of‑mouth.

Promotional Highlights and Behind‑the‑Scenes Buzz

In recent interviews promoting the film, Rajkummar emphasized his desire to avoid predictability, stating, “I don’t want to limit myself,” suggesting Maalik is a continuation of his efforts to stretch his range. He also recalled early career struggles before Love Sex Aur Dhokha, underscoring his journey to significance.

As Maalik approached release, the film’s team visited Delhi’s Bangla Sahib Gurudwara for blessings—a spiritual nod that drew fans’ attention, particularly toward actor Saurabh Sachdeva’s standout role.

Rao addressed comparisons to other recent violent blockbusters, stating that Maalik is not intent on glorifying crime, but rather presenting a nuanced narrative within the gangster genre.

During the trailer event, Prosenjit Chatterjee sparked controversy with a remark implying Bengali wasn’t widely understood—drawing backlash. He later clarified that his intention was to ensure comprehension for the entire audience, not to disparage the language.

Rao also shared a poignant early-career anecdote: Anurag Kashyap reportedly told him, “Tera role ab kuch bacha nahi hai” while scripting Gangs of Wasseypur, a revelation of significant emotional impact for the actor.

Immediate Piracy Threat

Alarmingly, barely hours after release, unauthorized copies of Maalik began appearing on major piracy platforms including Tamilrockerz, Filmyzilla, Movierulz, as well as on Telegram channels. The leak reportedly includes both high-definition and poor-quality files, potentially jeopardizing theatrical earnings and exposing the film to widespread copyright infringement.

Looking ahead, Maalik’s journey will hinge on viewer reception, especially whether strong word-of-mouth can counteract the poor pre-release metrics and negative critiques. The film may yet find traction if Rao’s performance connects with audiences—even as the narrative struggles to distinguish itself.