The trailer of Maalik, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar, has been released, giving us a glimpse into a dark, high-energy action thriller set in Allahabad in the 1980s. Directed by Pulkit, the movie delves into ambition, power, and the cost of survival in a world ruled by crime, greed, and loyalty.
A Raw Tale of Power and Survival
The trailer begins with Rajkummar Rao’s character, a hardscrabble individual who goes up the ranks in the underworld. Full of gangster drama, dirty gunfights, and a charged plot, Maalik assures a cinematic journey filled with thrills and emotions. With the violence and power tussles, the love interest between Rao and Chhillar provides an otherwise new twist to the plot.
Netizens React with Praise
The trailer has generated buzz on the web, with social media abuzz over Rajkummar’s metamorphosis as a merciless gangster. Reactions such as “Raj as a gangster ???? Yeh khatarnaak scene hai” and “Trailer mein dum hai… fire hai fire!” indicate the high initial response.
A First for the Lead Actors
Rajkummar Rao expressed enthusiasm about portraying a darker, more complex character, saying, “It really pushed me as an actor… Playing a layered, ruthless gangster was both thrilling and challenging.”
Manushi Chhillar, meanwhile, shared her excitement: “This is a world I’ve never explored before — raw, intense, and emotionally rich. Working with Rajkummar and Pulkit has been incredible.”
Pulkit’s Theatrical Debut
Maalik is Pulkit’s debut theatrical release as a director. Directed by Kumar Taurani (Tips Films) and Jay Shewakramani (Northern Lights Films), the movie also features Saurabh Shukla and Saurabh Sachdeva in important roles.
Maalik will release theatrically on July 11, 2025.