Rajkummar Rao’s much-anticipated action-drama Maalik hit theaters on July 11th with high expectations, but the box office paints a modest picture. With an estimated ₹3.25–3.75 crore opening day, slightly above some low-end forecasts, the film’s performance is solid yet unspectacular—especially considering its budget and star power.
Advance Booking Woes
Advance sales from major chains like PVR and INOX tallied just 6,500 tickets for day one—far below the ~30,000 that Rao’s previous release Bhool Chuk Maaf sold
This weak start hinted at a slow beginning, but surprisingly, Maalik edged higher thanks to decent walk-in traffic.
Opening Numbers at a Glance
- Maalik: ₹3.35–3.48 crore on Day 1 (net)
- Bhool Chuk Maaf (Feb 2025): ~₹7 crore on Day 1
- Competing new releases: Superman, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (₹0.32 crore), along with Metro …in Dino and Jurassic World: Rebirth holding strong
Despite the soft start, Maalik managed to outpace Shanaya Kapoor’s debut and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, which pulled only ₹32 lakh on opening day
Urban vs. Mass Markets
Urban, multiplex-heavy circuits remain muted, plagued by low shows and lack of early buzz (occupancy barely 12.8%)
- Smaller towns and single screens are showing more promise—audiences seem drawn to Rao’s action-packed, emotional gangster transformation.
Why the Slow Start?
- Genre fatigue: The Bollywood mass action formula feels dated with audiences after years of streaming binge consumption.
- Stiff Competition: Superman’s theatrical footprint is enormous, the stronghold of other holdovers chips into show counts and footfall .
- Weak pre-release marketing: With advance tickets alarmingly low, it’s clear promotional messaging didn’t quite land .
Critical Context
Critics broadly agree: Rao’s performance is magnetic, but the plot’s clichés, weak emotional footprint, and second-half drag undermine the film.
- The Indian Express notes the solid start but calls it “below expectations”
- India Today laments the familiar gangster tropes despite strong performances.
- Moneycontrol states the film is “average,” outperforming some peers but trailing behind Rao’s past hits.
What’s Next for Maalik?
Maalik must rely on:
- Weekend surge—Saturday boost is crucial.
- Word-of-mouth: Rao’s fans and rural audiences may be the game-changers.
- Support from smaller markets where local mass audiences respond better to its style and lead man.
Jay‑Ho! Takeaway
- Maalik opened mildly—respectable but far from booming.
- Rao’s screen presence can pull the film through, but plot fatigue and marketing missteps cast a shadow.
- The next 48–72 hours will determine if Maalik can shift from weak opening to sleeper hit, or slip under amid strong competition.
Final verdict:
Maalik could still surprise on Sunday, but unless Rao’s “soulful gangster” persona catches the public imagination, this may remain a hit-in-silence rather than a RTM-worthy blockbuster.
