Rajkummar Rao is not a nice guy anymore in 'Maalik' trailer'; becomes ruthless

Rajkummar Rao is all set to shake up the big screen with Maalik, a new gangster drama set in 1980s Allahabad, scheduled to hit cinemas on July 11. The trailer, launched by Tips Films and Northern Lights Films, presents Rao in a starkly different light far from his usual territory, diving deep into the world of gang wars, turf politics and unflinching violence.

Directed by Pulkit, Maalik tells the story of a man who stops asking for power and starts seizing it. Rao’s character seems to rise from the belly of chaos, leading his charge not with flamboyance but with calculated silences and slow-burning menace. This is not the smooth-talking don in a designer suit. This is blood under the fingernails, loyalty bought at gunpoint, and respect earned through fear.

The film also stars Manushi Chhillar, marking her entry into a darker cinematic space. She appears to bring both mystery and momentum to the story, stepping away from the glamorous roles she has been associated with. Alongside them, seasoned actors Saurabh Shukla and Saurabh Sachdeva add weight to the narrative, suggesting layers of betrayal, ambition and twisted allegiance.

What makes Maalik intriguing is its promise of character-driven storytelling in a world often flattened by genre clichés. While the backdrop evokes comparisons with older crime dramas, the treatment, going by the trailer, leans more towards simmering tension than glorified violence. There is a sense of lived-in realism to the world, punctuated by the slow creep of dread.

For Pulkit, known for intense dramas on streaming platforms, this marks his first big screen outing. With theatrical expectations riding high, the film might well turn out to be a career-defining move for both the director and his cast.

Whether Maalik redefines Rajkummar Rao’s screen image or simply adds a new chapter to his already diverse filmography remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, the stage is set, the bullets are loaded, and the countdown to carnage has begun.