When Rajkummar Rao—the versatile powerhouse—ditches his trademark boy-next-door persona for a savage gangster in Maalik, reactions explode online. Some call it “electrifying,” others a predictable slog. Want clarity? Here are 7 tweets that tell the story before you hit the theaters:
“Electrifying performance!”
“#Maalik first review out now… one of the finest performances by @RajkummarRao… BGM and taut screenplay add good value.”
Many fans applaud Rao’s transformation into Amar Singh, praising both his intensity and the film’s gripping setup.
“Only watchable for Rao”
“Movie is below average. But Rajkummar Rao’s performance is.”
While audience reactions are mixed, Rao remains the movie’s emotional anchor.
“Predictable but powerful”
“From farmer’s son to feared mafia kingpin… #Maalik is a gritty ride… story’s predictable, but Rao elevates the film to another level.”
Critics note the familiar arc—but insist Rao’s charisma makes the journey worth it.
“Flat story, heavy dialogue”
“#Maalik is DISAPPOINTING… character-writing isn’t convincing… the rest is a dull, outdated gangster drama.”
Not everyone is on board—the screenplay and dialogue draw criticism for lack of originality.
“Underwhelming second half”
“First half is BOMBARDING but the second half lacks a bit in the screenplay and is okayish.”
A common gripe: a powerhouse first half that doesn’t quite sustain the momentum.
“More than just Rao”
“Saurabh Shukla and Prosenjit Chatterjee add a brilliant spark… overall, enjoyable. Rao in a new avatar!”
Supporting cast gets applause—Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, and Prosenjit Chatterjee get shoutouts too.
“Critic Review: “Slavery to predictability”
Koimoi bluntly observes:
“A relentless rampage of gore… fails to impress despite a rage-fueled performance. Surrender to unoriginality.”
The critique hammers the film’s reliance on familiar tropes—a sentiment shared by several critics.
Box Office & Context
Maalik, clashing with Superman and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, is holding its ground. It’s slowly closing in on Superman in India—no small feat against a Hollywood superhero.
Trade analyst Rohit Jaiswal predicts a steady opening day of ₹1.5–2 crore—ahead of Shanaya Kapoor’s debut. With a reported ₹54-crore budget, Maalik needs to thrive to break even
Industry Pulse
In response to comparisons with films like Animal, Rao clarified:
“We’re not here to glorify anything… Maalik is set in the world of a gangster, not to replicate Bollywood violence for thrills.”
Jay-Ho! Streaming Wisdom
- For Fans: Expect high-voltage performance from Rao, especially in a fresh, raw avatar.
- For Critics: A film with stellar acting but stuck in a familiar gangster playbook.
- For Viewers: Half mass-appeal, half cerebral thriller—decide based on your preference: heart or originality?
Final Word
Maalik is not a disaster—but it’s not flawless, either. Rajkummar Rao’s performance is undeniably a masterclass, but the storyline sometimes slips into cliche. If you’re here for compelling cinema and performance-led storytelling, this could be worth a watch. If you crave fresh narratives, you might feel déjà vu.
The weekend battle is heating up. Rao’s Maalik is compellingly good—but is it powerful enough to hold against Superman? Your call in the credits.
