Pulkit’s directorial gangster drama Maalik, starring Rajkummar Rao, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Manushi Chhillar in the lead roles, was released in theatres on 11th July 2025. The plot revolves around the journey of an ordinary young man, Deepak (Rajkummar Rao), from a humble farming background to his rise as the feared gangster Maalik.
However, the core storyline follows a familiar template we've often seen in gangster dramas like Vaastav: The Reality, Satya, and others. The narrative kicks off with a triggering incident, Deepak’s father being assaulted by a local gangster, which sets him on a path of crime.
The main conflict arises between Maalik and Balhar Singh (Swanand Kirkire), a powerful figure who then enlists the help of a suspended police officer. Prabhu Das (Prosenjit Chatterjee), a man credited with 98 encounters. The rest of the story revolves around whether Prabhu Das can outsmart and bring down Maalik.
Rajkummar Rao, best known for his roles in romantic and comedic films, takes a bold leap into a grittier space with Maalik. At this stage in his career, it’s commendable that he’s exploring different genres, and he certainly delivers some engaging moments.
However, there are scenes, like his emotional plea to Minister Shankar Singh (Saurabh Shukla), that lack the emotional weight they demand. It’s a sincere performance, though, and he clearly has room to evolve in this space.
Manushi Chhillar, in her fifth Bollywood outing as a lead, plays Shalini, Deepak’s wife. Unfortunately, the script gives her limited scope, and her chemistry with Rao never really clicks onscreen.
Prosenjit Chatterjee shines as Prabhu Das, but once again, the writing lets the character down. For someone with 98 successful encounters under his belt, the sudden fear for his family after Maalik's threat feels forced and inconsistent.
A deeper exploration of his psyche could have made this dynamic more gripping. The gangster-vs-cop showdown, a classic hallmark of the genre, had great potential, but the execution never quite lives up to the promise.
Sachin–Jigar’s song compositions are decent, but Ketan Sodha’s background score fails to elevate the intensity of key moments. Zubin Sheikh’s editing could have been tighter, especially in the dragging second half, and Anuj Rakesh Dhawan’s cinematography feels functional but far from memorable.
The film fails to strike an emotional chord, as most of the emotional scenes lack conviction and fall flat, leaving little impact on the audience. Director Pulkit fails to impress with the execution, particularly in underutilizing a powerhouse like
Prosenjit Chatterjee, an actor who could have easily been the show-stealer, had his character been written and explored with more depth. Overall, Maalik had the ingredients for a gripping gangster drama, a solid cast, and familiar yet workable themes.
But weak writing, uneven execution, and underutilized talent hold it back from making a lasting impact. It’s a sincere effort, but one that ultimately falls short of its potential.
Rating: 4/10
Q: When was Pulkit’s directorial gangster drama Maalik
released, and who are the lead actors?
A: Maalik was released in theatres on 11th July 2025. The
film stars Rajkummar Rao, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Manushi Chhillar in the
lead roles.
Q: What is the central plot of Maalik?
A: The story follows Deepak (Rajkummar Rao), a young man
from a farming family, who gradually transforms into the feared gangster known
as Maalik. The film adopts a familiar gangster-drama template reminiscent of Vaastav:
The Reality and Satya.
Q: What event pushes Deepak into the world of crime?
A: Deepak’s descent into crime begins when his father is
assaulted by a local gangster. This incident becomes the turning point in his
life and sets him on a path of vengeance and power.
Q: Who serves as Maalik’s main adversary in the film?
A: The central conflict revolves around Maalik and Balhar
Singh (Swanand Kirkire), who eventually hire a suspended encounter specialist,
Prabhu Das (Prosenjit Chatterjee), to bring Maalik down.
Q: How does Rajkummar Rao perform in this gritty role?
A: Known mostly for romantic and comic roles, Rajkummar Rao
takes a bold step with Maalik. While his effort is sincere and he delivers in
some impactful moments, certain emotional scenes—like his plea to Minister
Shankar Singh—lack the required intensity. Still, it’s a commendable attempt,
and he shows potential for this genre.
Q: How does Manushi Chhillar fare in her role?
A: In her fifth Bollywood film as a lead, Manushi plays
Shalini, Deepak’s wife. Unfortunately, her role is underwritten, and her
chemistry with Rajkummar Rao never fully convinces. She doesn't get much space
to showcase her potential.
Q: Was Prosenjit Chatterjee’s character effectively
utilized?
A: Prosenjit Chatterjee delivers a strong performance as
Prabhu Das, but his character suffers due to inconsistent writing. For a man
with 98 encounters, his sudden vulnerability regarding his family feels
unearned. A more layered backstory could have made his arc far more compelling.
Q: How is the film’s technical side, music, editing, and
visuals?
A: Sachin–Jigar’s songs are decent, but the background score
by Ketan Sodha lacks impact. The editing by Zubin Sheikh could have been
tighter, especially in the dragging second half, while Anuj Rakesh Dhawan’s
cinematography remains fairly average and uninspired.
Q: Does the film succeed emotionally?
A: No. The film fails to strike an emotional chord. Most
emotional scenes feel unconvincing and fail to resonate, leaving little lasting
impact on the viewer.
Q: What holds Maalik back from reaching its potential?
A: Weak writing, uneven execution, and the underutilization
of talented actors like Prosenjit Chatterjee hinder the film’s potential.
Director Pulkit fails to craft the gripping gangster-versus-cop showdown the
premise promised.
Rating: 4/10
Final Verdict: Maalik had the cast and setup for an engaging
gangster drama but ultimately fails to leave a mark. It’s a well-intentioned
effort that stumbles in execution.
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