Rajkummar Rao’s latest outing, Maalik, was touted as a gritty, massy actioner set in the backdrop of 1990s Allahabad. However, the film has had a modest run at the box office so far. According to Sacnilk, Maalik earned just over Rs 2 crore on Day 5, bringing its total five-day collection to approximately Rs 18 crore. Despite the presence of a strong cast and the promise of high-octane drama, the film has failed to pick up significant momentum post its release.
Underwhelming Weekend and Comparison with Past Hits
Maalik opened to a slow start with Rs 3.75 crore on its first day. The collections saw a marginal rise over the weekend, bringing in Rs 5.25 crore across Saturday and Sunday. However, the film dipped again on Monday with just Rs 1.75 crore, and Tuesday (Day 5) didn’t see a significant recovery either.
In comparison, Rajkummar Rao’s previous theatrical release Bhool Chuk Maaf had a far stronger start, earning Rs 37.25 crore in its first five days. Maalik is clearly underperforming against expectations, especially for a film positioned as a high-stakes gangster drama.
A Familiar Tale with Limited Impact
Directed by Pulkit, Maalik features an ensemble cast including Manushi Chhillar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Swanand Kirkire. In the film, Rajkummar Rao plays a feared gangster navigating the violent power struggles of 1990s Allahabad, clashing with an encounter specialist cop played by Prosenjit.
Despite its potential, the film has been criticized for lacking originality. It’s just Rajkummar whacking bones and breaking bad… Pulkit does the bare minimum in mounting the film.” Critics noted the film’s heavy reliance on tropes popularized by shows like Mirzapur, without offering anything fresh.
Tough Competition and Audience Fatigue
Maalik also faced competition from Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a romantic drama starring Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor. However, that film fared even worse, earning only Rs 35 lakh on its opening day and continuing to struggle through its first week.
Produced by Kumar Taurani (Tips Films) and Jay Shewakramani (Northern Lights Films), Maalik may still recover some ground if it manages to gain traction in tier-2 cities. But as of now, the film’s prospects remain uncertaine.
