Maalik review: Rajkummar Rao enjoys the gritty role, sadly, audiences don't
And at this moment, you feel sorry for Rajkummar Rao, who's probably delivered one of his most innate performances ever. The underdog energy evolving into a surging menace will, at one point, make you want to root for him (even when the film could not). Rao seems to relish the swag and darkness of 'Maalik', and it's a genuinely refreshing break from his sweet-middle-class-boy image. Prosenjit Chatterjee, as the iron-fisted cop, does what he can, though he is also let down by writing that reduces complexity into clichs. Manushi Chhillar is sadly wasted in a role that could've been played by her cardboard cutout with a few dubbed lines. Saurabh Shukla, on the other hand, as the manipulative politician, seems to be having more fun than anyone else on set. Huma Qureshi also drops by for a glamorous cameo in the massy number Dil Thaam Ke, adding a momentary spark to the otherwise dark canvas.If you're in the mood for brooding, high-octane action and classic Bollywood moral drama, Maalik delivers on those fronts. But its emotional resonance is as thin as the new Samsung phone up for sale. Loyalty, power, revenge: Maalik hits the beats but never surprises, making you question why we need a film that feels so dated. If you still must, watch it for Rajkummar Rao.- Ends2 out of 5 stars to Maalik. You May Also Like
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