Rajkummar Rao visits Lucknow ahead of Maalik’s track launch, revisits key shoot locations

Following the buzz around its recently launched trailer, the makers of Maalik have announced the release of the film’s title track Raaj Karega Maalik, scheduled for tomorrow in Lucknow. The city served as one of the main locations during the film’s shoot.

The decision to unveil the track in Lucknow appears to be a conscious one, highlighting the film’s strong geographical and emotional link with the city. The teaser of the song had already sparked anticipation among fans, particularly due to its high-octane tone and visuals. Directed by Pulkit, the film is set in 1980s Allahabad and focuses on a layered narrative involving crime, ambition, and survival. Described as an action drama, Maalik unfolds in a space dominated by power struggles, shifting loyalties, and violence.

Rajkummar Rao plays the lead role, with Manushi Chhillar featuring opposite him. The supporting cast includes Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Anshuman Pushkar — actors known for their work in grounded, character-driven stories. The film is produced by Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films banner and Jay Shewakramani from Northern Lights Films. It is slated to hit theatres on 11th July 2025.

The track Raaj Karega Maalik is being positioned as an extension of the film’s core energy. While the song itself is yet to be fully revealed, early promotional material suggests a fast-paced, intense soundscape, in keeping with the tone of the trailer. Pulkit, known for his emotionally gritty directorial style, seems to be exploring familiar terrain with Maalik. The narrative, rooted in a period setting, deals with how survival is negotiated in a space ruled by violence and hierarchy.

As the team returns to Lucknow, this time for a public-facing event, the location serves not just as a backdrop but as a character in itself. Whether the title track amplifies interest in the film remains to be seen, but the timing and place of its release are not incidental.