After much anticipation, the trailer for Maalik, starring Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar, dropped online, but instead of setting social media on fire, it has left many with a sense of déjà vu. Despite some impressive visuals and intense moments, the trailer struggles to bring anything fresh to the overcrowded gangster genre.
Rajkummar Rao in Repetitive Territory
Rajkummar Rao, celebrated for his versatility, once again steps into the world of guns, gangsters, and power games, a space he already explored in the web show Guns & Gulaabs. Also the abundance of similar gangster-centric shows and films online makes it feel like well-trodden ground. His performance looks sincere, but a section of the audience feels disconnected, him losing his next door guy image rapidly.
Rajkummar in Action Scenes Stretches Believability
A standout sequence shows Rajkummar’s character hanging four men simultaneously, a scene clearly designed to shock but coming off as implausible. Unlike stars who bulk up to lend authenticity to such brutal stunts, Rao’s lean build doesn’t convincingly sell the moment. Additionally, his image as a relatable, small-town boy rooted in realism makes him an odd fit for this kind of over-the-top action.
Manushi Chhillar’s Box Office Challenge
Manushi Chhillar looks striking, but questions persist about whether she can finally break her box office jinx with Maalik. Since her debut, none of her films including Prithviraj and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan have managed a significant commercial impact. This gritty crime drama, with its niche appeal, might not provide the easiest terrain for a turnaround.
Gangster Drama – a Genre Running on Fumes
The biggest obstacle for Maalik could be the audience fatigue around gangster sagas. From Raees to the endless wave of OTT shows like Mirzapur, Guns & Gulaabs, and Sacred Games, the template of power struggles, betrayals, and revenge has been explored repeatedly over the past decade. Without a truly novel hook, Maalik risks getting lost amid a saturated market.
Even the dialogues in the promo sound generic, with punchlines that don’t leave a mark. Visually, while polished, the aesthetics echo several other gangster dramas, offering little in terms of originality or a distinct identity.
If Maalik doesn’t surprise with a unique narrative or standout performances when it hits the screens, it could struggle to find traction in a market that has grown weary of similar digital offerings.
Directors Struggling to Transition from OTT to Big-Screen Impact
Maalik is directed by Pulkit, known for his work on Bhakshak, a gritty OTT film that earned praise but struggled to reach mass audiences. Similarly, Maa director Vishal Furia had earlier helmed Chhorii, another horror-thriller that found moderate success on digital platforms but failed to make a strong theatrical impression with his latest. The trajectory of these filmmakers highlights a growing trend: directors who carve a niche with intense, small-screen projects often face an uphill battle translating that success to larger-than-life theatrical releases. With audiences already saturated by similar themes on OTT, Maalik risks joining Maa in falling short of box office expectations unless it offers something truly distinctive.
(Also read: Maa Day 4 Box Office Collection: Kajol Starrer Maa Drops Big 47% On Monday, Heading For Under 26 Crore Week One! FLOP)
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