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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Maalik movie review: Old wine, new swag, with a fiery Rajkummar Rao works in parts
Maalik movie review Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Manushi Chhillar Director: Pulkit Star rating: ★★★ Maalik movie review: Rajkummar Rao plays the titular role in film directed by Pulkit. Guns, blood, violence, gore- don't these all already bore? Not really, when in the hands of talented actors. If there's one thing that Maalik gets right from the start, it's casting Rajkummar Rao, an unlikely action hero. Think of him in this film as a long-lost sibling of his own badass babua Pritam Vidrohi from Bareilly Ki Barfi. Maalik movie story Now, we come to Maalik. There's nothing here we haven't seen before - a commoner in the Allahabad of the 1990s rises up after being wronged, becomes powerful, and then faces a downfall. From a novelty standpoint, Maalik has nothing new to offer. But the way it unfolds is interesting. The first half is undoubtedly more entertaining, as you get drawn into Maalik's world. Directed by Pulkit, who also wrote the film along with Jyotsana Nath, it has enough sequences filled with swag and rooted humour. And making it work is Rajkummar. He embodies Maalik completely and never loses the required temper and attitude. I had my reservations after the trailer about whether he could pull off an out-and-out masala film, but he does. What doesn't work Then comes the second half, which just doesn't seem to end. Too much of something is never appreciated, and that's where the film loses its brownie points. Maalik becomes long enough for people to groan in the theatres and say it out loud. Too many characters are a part of Maalik's life, and in the effort to wrap up each track, the film gets stretched by at least 20 minutes. If the editor, Zubin Sheikh, had kept the many action sequences under control and edited out the song Dil Thaam Ke featuring Huma Qureshi in a special appearance, it would have helped. The film ends with a promise of a sequel, and honestly, I wouldn't quite mind it because of Rajkummar. Manushi Chhillar plays her role well as Maalik's wife, and it is easily the better of the forgettable films she has done so far. Saurabh Shukla lends good support to the story, and Prosenjit Chatterjee, as a tough cop, gets ample screen time, locking horns with the protagonist. Rajendra Gupta as Maalik's father leaves an impact. In conclusion Despite its flaws, Maalik stands tall, much like its hero, punching above its weight thanks to Rao's fiery energy. If you enjoy watching a familiar story served with extra spice and swagger, Maalik click with you. And who knows, with a tighter sequel, this saga could rise higher and roar louder.
News18
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Rajkummar Rao On ‘Love' For Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann: ‘We Call, Text Each Other Randomly'
Rajkummar Rao says there's strong 'brotherhood' among him, Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana. He also speaks about his next, Maalik, that sees him in a brand-new avatar. Rajkummar Rao has never shied away from lauding his peers. Often, he takes to social media to cheer for his co-stars for a performance they've fared well in. At the same time, he hasn't had any qualms about sharing screen space with his contemporaries such as Ayushmann Khurrana in Bareilly Ki Barfi and Dulquer Salmaan in Guns & Gulaabs. Now, speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha, Rajkummar reveals that he shares a rather great bond with his peers – Ayushmann and Vicky Kaushal. Interestingly, the trio shares similar non-film backgrounds and has managed to carve a niche for themselves through their own merit, redefining masculinity in modern-day mainstream cinema. 'Ayushmann calls me and I call him at times randomly. We just go, 'Long time. Kaisa hai, bhai? Aise hi soch rahe the ki call kar de.' I believe these bonds are great. There should be camaraderie among contemporaries," Rajkummar tells us. For the unversed, he'll next be seen playing Sourav Ganguly in his biopic after reports suggested that Ayushmann withdrew from the film. In fact, when Rajkummar watched Vicky's Chhaava, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out to him, completely enamoured with the latter's rendition of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. 'When I saw Chhaava, I messaged Vicky. He also messages me every time he likes a trailer or a film featuring me. We always greet each other very warmly if we bump into each other," he says. On the work front, Rajkummar is awaiting the release of Maalik, that will see him in a brand-new avatar. While he acknowledges that throngs of desi actioners are being made today, he's confident that Maalik will stand out. 'Yes, it's massy and highly commercial with a lot of dialogue-baazi and action but it's still very rooted in its texture. So, what you see onscreen will be believable. You would believe in these characters and the story. It's not a fantasy or make-believe world where just about anything and everything is happening," he explains. The trailer of Maalik has been grabbing attention for its graphic portrayal of violence and sees Rajkummar portray a very different version of masculinity – one in the context of power games and ambition. Talking about it, he says, 'I'm an aware audience and when I see a film, I can differentiate which films are larger-than-life and which ones are way more violent than the others. At the same time, I know it's all for entertainment. As long as I'm entertained and they're done well, I enjoy watching such films." The Bhool Chuk Maaf and Mr & Mrs Mahi actor further continues, 'I'm a big fan of the action genre but there has to be a story in it. It can't just be set pieces of action. A story can't be woven around seven action sequences. It should be the other way around. I'm more interested in seeing the character's arc and journey. Action can be for titillation but there still has to be a solid reason for the same." First Published: July 10, 2025, 04:57 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Casting directors would discourage Rajkummar Rao from auditioning for lead roles, recalls actor: 'Teen scene hain toh'
Breaking the type is an actor's dream. Even someone like Rajkummar Rao, known for the variety in his body of work, says that he wants to surprise the audience. The trailer of his upcoming film, Maalik, has certainly managed the job. Rajkummar, the poster boy of tier-2 city slice-of-life stories, is playing a ruthless gangster in this gore-filled action film. Ahead of the film's release, Rajkummar sits down with HT to talk about the film, his career, and more. Rajkummar Rao in a still from Maalik, his upcoming gangster drama. On Maalik Maalik is Rajkummar's first entry into the mass action genre, which has even lured the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee in the last couple of years. Talking about seeing himself being presented in a larger-than-life manner on screen, the actor says, "It is exciting because I get to do something very different from anything I have done to date. As an actor, that's what I want to do—play different people, explore different genres, and present myself in a different way to the audience. Maalik has given me that opportunity in a very big way." He does add, almost as an afterthought: "Having said that, nothing is in my comfort zone, to be honest. Doing comedy also isn't easy. It's very difficult." Over the course of his career, Rajkummar has borrowed the quirks and mannerisms of his characters from people he has seen - be it a family member (for Vidrohi in Bareilly Ki Barfi) or a DTC bus conductor (for Vicky in Stree). But Maalik is different. The actor admits he has not met anyone like this character in real life. So, his entire preparation depended on the script. "I read the script a few times, and then I start seeing visuals of how this guy would walk and what his voice would sound like, and what his mannerisms would be. I feel that's a blessing. And for me, the internal process is way more important than the external. The external is easy. You do nothing, and you can grow your beard and hair. But to reach the soul of the character is the real work as an actor," explains Rajkummar. On being boxed by Bollywood Maalik's trailer has a line wherein a character tells Rajkummar's character that he should not try to become something he was not born to be. The actor says that line resonated with him because as an actor, he would see people try to put him in a box early on in his career. "In Mumbai, when I started and met casting directors and asked them, 'Can I audition for the lead part,' they would ask me why," recalls Rajkummar. The actor says the staple reply would be: "Audition for this role, teen scene hain toh (it's got three good scenes)." And the actor says he would just soldier on, steadfast in his belief that "maybe somebody would one day want me to audition for the lead role." That eventually happened when Dibakar Banerjee allowed him to audition for the lead in Love Sex Aur Dhokha. That film, followed by Shahid, got him noticed. "And then Kai Po Che, a big commercial film, opened more doors for me," he shares. On surprising the audience With Maalik, the actor hopes that he can open more doors, just for himself. He has done diverse films like Shahid, Badhaai Do, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Love Sex Aur Dhokha. But, Rajkummar's hunger to surprise the audience is not satiated. Talking about his character in Maalik, he says. "When you come up with something people don't expect you to do, that is very thrilling, more than anything else. Sometimes people feel you are in a safe, comfortable zone and doing a certain kind of film, then you break that and do something out of your comfort zone; that is the fun of being an actor." Maalik also stars Manushi Chhillar and Prosenjit Chatterjee. Directed by Pulkit, the film hits the screens on July 11.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nil Battey Sannata to Bareilly Ki Barfi: Films that prove Nitesh Tiwari's cinema is about hope, trials and tribulations
Nitesh Tiwari has taken on his biggest challenge yet. The filmmaker, who has a type of cinema to his credit, has taken on the task of presenting his version of Ramayana to the world. The filmmaker, for most bits, has an eye for content that could be moulded into a precious gem and thus, hopes are high with Ramayana, too. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, the movie is almost ready for release. However, before Ramayana rules over the big screens, here's tracing back content that Tiwari has presented to us. Nil Battey Sannata, Bareilly Ki Barfi From Nil Battey Sannata to Bareilly Ki Barfi, stream the best of Nitesh Tiwari's cinema on OTTplay Premium Nil Battey Sannata is the story of a mother (played by Swara Bhasker) who single-handedly takes on the task of raising her daughter. To make matters worse, the daughter is a teen who is influenced by how society sees her mother, which affects her academic studies. Thus, the mother makes a decision which is about to change the trajectory of their lives. Bareilly Ki Barfi Another movie about a strong, independent woman bankrolled by Nitesh Tiwari is Bareilly Ki Barfi. Kriti Sanon plays the role of Bitti, a woman who breaks all societal norms and hopes they catch up with her. A true modern, independent woman, Bitti is out to seek a man who understands her. That is when she comes across a mysterious man named Chirag whose thoughts match hers. Bitti is now on a journey to find her Chirag, but the process to interact with him is not as easy as it appears. Bareilly Ki Barfi explores the lengths to which Bitti would go to be with the man she believes is her soulmate. Tarla Women might not always belong in the kitchen, but some of those who do can make history and Huma Qureshi's Tarla, inspired from the real-life story of Chef Tarla Dalal, is proof of that. Tarla explores how a middle-class woman can use her skills and make a living out of it, which falls under the kind of cinema Nitesh Tiwari and his wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari support. Kill Dil Ranveer Singh-Parineeti Chopra's Kill Dil is the story of men who are happy in their bubble. Picking up the gun to get what they want is how gangsters Dev, Tutu and Bhaiyaji (played by Ali Zafar, Ranveer Singh and Govinda) survive. That is till Disha (Parineeti Chopra) enters their lives and shakes things up. Now, it is a battle between what was believed to be brotherhood and the heart. Nitesh Tiwari penned the storyline for the movie. Chhichhore A classic, Sushant Singh Rajput-Shraddha Kapoor's Chhichhore tells the tale of campus friends and how their lives change after. From sensitive topics to what usually happens in a boy's group chat, this film explores it all and with sincerity. It is among Nitesh Tiwari's finest works as a director. The film is available on JioHotstar.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Stream these Aamir Khan classics while you wait for Sitaare Zameen Par
Superstar Aamir Khan, often referred to as the 'perfectionist' of Bollywood, has a filmography that most actors would arguably die for. From movies that needed solid performances to those that have intriguing plot twists and narratives, he has been part of films that have emerged as cult favourites over the years. The actor is now gearing up for his first release in nearly three years with Sitaare Zameen Par, which is set to hit theatres on June 20. Ahead of its release, here are some popular Aamir Khan movies on OTT that showcase his versatility. Stream other heartwarming drama films like Piku, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Uunchai and so much more only on OTTplay Premium The mesmerising power duo of Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit in this romantic drama film will surely capture your hearts. Whether it's the solid narrative or the star-studded ensemble, Dil turned into a superhit. The plot revolves around Raja and Madhu, who fall in love despite their family's approval. Anupam Kher and Saeed Jaffrey also play significant roles. Babbar Subhash's romantic action film features Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla in the lead. The plot revolves around two youngsters who fall in love against the odds of their family and enemies. However, the couple gets entangled in a web of crimes after a local goon and his father create difficulties for the couple as they try to separate them. Gulshan Grover plays the obsessive and evil lover of Juhi Chawla. The supporting cast also features Raza Murad, Dalip Tahil, and Om Shivpuri in pivotal roles. Mahesh Bhatt's romantic comedy is headlined by Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla as the leading pair. The story is centered around a young man who struggles to manage his professional life in a factory and take care of three unruly children of his deceased sister. Things take a fascinating turn when the mischievous kids befriend a runaway woman at a carnival and invite her to live with them secretly. With funny encounters and an unconventional love story, this movie has garnered a massive fanbase over time and became a cult classic. AR Murugadoss' action thriller emerged as a blockbuster film for both Suriya and Aamir Khan. While Suriya appeared in the Tamil version, the movie was adapted as a Hindi remake with Aamir Khan in the lead. The plot revolves around a rich businessman who embarks on a bloody revenge quest against a brutal crime boss to avenge the murder of his girlfriend despite suffering from anterograde amnesia, or short-term memory loss. Asin reprises her role from the original film and makes her Bollywood debut with this superhit film. From catchy songs to the dialogues and fine action scenes, Ghajini is a must-watch for Aamir Khan fans. Aamir Khan shines in the role of a tough police officer in this gritty crime thriller film. The plot revolves around a cop who finds himself in a dilemma while solving a twisted murder case of an actor. Rani Mukerji plays Aamir's wife, who struggles to deal with grief after the death of her son. Kareena Kapoor Khan also appears in a pivotal role. Packed with an edgy narrative and a stellar ensemble cast, this Aamir Khan film will keep you hooked till the end.
