Latest news with #Vaastav
India Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Maalik review: Rajkummar Rao enjoys the gritty role, sadly, audiences don't
Set in the gritty alleys of late '80s Allahabad (now Prayagraj, pronounced Illahabad in the film), 'Maalik' charts Deepak's (Rajkummar Rao) raw and relentless rise from a farmer's son to an underworld don. 'Maalik paida toh nahi hue, ban toh sakte gain (I wasn't born a master, but I can become one)," he declares, a line that sets the tone for a film that's all about swagger and hardly any with any classic Bollywood gangster drama, Deepak's ambitions don't sit well with local strongman Chandrasekhar (Saurabh Sachdeva), who sees the rising upstart as a threat to his dominance. Soon, politics, law, and a fair bit of bloodshed enter the fray. These rustic gangster tales were cinematic gold in the late '90s and early 2000s, with cult hits like 'Satya', 'Company', 'Vaastav', and 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. But after five years of OTT overload, the bullets in 'Maalik' don't jolt - they just make you Pulkit builds the world of 'Maalik' with ambition, but gets caught in the tropes. The staging is slick in parts, but the narrative rarely lifts beyond the familiar. Stylistically, the film is very much in love with itself. Every punch comes with a thundering background score, every stare magnified for impact. Dialogues boom like Instagram motivational quotes and slo-mo shots linger far longer than your patience. 'Maalik' wants to be a mass entertainer, but it also wants to be taken seriously, and that makes it unintentionally funny. The audience is left unsure whether to cheer, roll their eyes, or just scroll on their phone. 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 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
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
'Maalik' movie review: Rajkummar Rao rules and roars in a tenacious but tried-and-tested crime drama
Post the pandemic, there has been an unhealthy obsession to watch bodies being sliced and blood pouring out of every possible organ. We need over the top stories and characters. We need the old wine. Bottle be dammed read more Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saurabh Sachdeva Director: Pulkit Language: Hindi Rajkummar Rao was almost unrecognizable when he first appeared in Dibakar Banerjee's remarkable Love Sex Aur Dhokha 15 years back. He was an uncommon common man who has a sexual relationship with a sales woman only so that he can brag about this achievement to his friends. He even records the raunchy and roaring rendezvous that borders on the creepy and chilling. Some of the nuances of his repertoire are hidden with classic mass and masala comments that unfortunately were never celebrated as much as they deserved. Post the pandemic, there has been an unhealthy obsession to watch bodies being sliced and blood pouring out of every possible organ. So the actor has jumped into the bandwagon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This not only allows him to satiate the nation's appetite but also expand his own capacity as a performer. So with Maalik, we see him in his most heroic form yet. He plays a common man again who's challenged by overwhelming circumstances. It's a trope that was marvellously explored in titles like Satya, Vaastav, and the middling Raees with Shah Rukh Khan. There's a dream but one stroke of reality changes everything. The film is based in Allahabad so the rustic flavor and fervor is taken care of. Maalik is an orgy of bone-crushing action, bloodbath, and bullet shots so intensified that Sandeep Reddy Vanga would surely be gratified. There's a good masala like about Majboor baap and mazboot beta. And Rao is having a blast playing this larger than life character he has not dabbled with before. The ensemble is almost contagious. We have Saurabh Shukla and Prosenjit Chatterjee who lock horns with the eponymous character. Chatterjee enters the scene that's juxtaposed by Maalik's line that says that Hume Maarne Waala Paida Hi Nahin Hua. This is a conflict that Sanjay Gupta and Milan Luthria have milked quite a few times in their stories. But director Pulkit, who also made the meticulously crafted Bose with Rajkummar Rao, makes Maalik tenacious even if the narrative is tried and tested. And Saurabh Shukla is adorable and delightful no matter whose side his money is on. He can be evil and entertaining together if thrown into such devilish world. Raid 2 is the recent example. And then there's Saurabh Sachdeva, who comes back to the big screen in a haunting fashion only the way he can. To deflate the horror of his persona, the makers do the right thing by casting Manushi Chhillar who looks like a breeze, and adds a lot of breeze into Maalik's claustrophobic life as well. Rising from the ashes… and back to ashes There's another inevitable factor in telling the tale about a man that rises from the ashes, that he ultimately has to go back to the ashes. His destiny made him who he is today, and it's nothing but Karma that makes him go back to where it all began, or maybe where he could or should have gone. But the question here is how long can this trope survive? The visceral visuals, the bruised souls, the battered bodies, the badassery of barbarism—Everything seems to have become rousing instead of repulsive. It seems it's impossible to root for the hero unless he breaks a few bones. He can stand up for his people not before he has mutilated the monsters around him. The restrained form of storytelling rooted in heartland seems to have evaporated into oblivion. We can barely make titles like Gangaajal and Sehar. We need over the top and exaggerated stories and characters. We need the old wine. Bottle be dammed! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Maalik is now playing in cinemas
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sanjay Dutt: My circle of friends has become smaller now
Sanjay Dutt Sanjay Dutt has always cherished spending time with friends. However, over the years, the actor admits that his circle of friends has gradually become smaller. Now dividing his time between Mumbai and Dubai, Dutt finds himself in Mumbai mostly for work, while Dubai remains his haven for family life. Whenever he returns to Mumbai, he makes it a point to reconnect with those closest to him. Once known for hosting lavish gatherings at his Mumbai home, Dutt now prefers a quieter lifestyle. Speaking candidly, he shares, 'My circle has become smaller over time. I really enjoy having meaningful conversations with my close friends. These are old friends, nothing related to the film industry or business. They drop by occasionally—we laugh, talk, have a drink. It's simple and genuine.' The K.G.F: Chapter 2 actor made these remarks while attending a celebration in Mumbai, marking two years of GlenWalk, a beverage brand he endorses. Dutt has been the face of GlenWalk, founded by his long-time friend Mokksh Sani. The two have shared a bond for over two decades. Reflecting on their collaboration, Mokksh Sani—also the founder of The Living Liquidz—said, 'The response has been fantastic, and we're continuing to grow. I focus on manufacturing, but I always turn to Sanjay for marketing insights. He's the face of our brand, yet he gives us full creative freedom, which is invaluable. More than that, I've always been a huge fan of his. I often send him videos whenever I'm watching his films like Vaastav or Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. '
News18
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Vivek Lagoo, Ex-Husband Of Late Actress Reema Lagoo, Passes Away At 74
Last Updated: Veteran actor Vivek Lagoo, ex-husband of Reema Lagoo, passed away at 74. His last rites will be held at Oshiwara crematorium on June 20. Veteran theatre actor Vivek Lagoo, best known as the ex-husband of late Bollywood actress Reema Lagoo, has passed away at the age of 74. According to reports, Vivek breathed his last on June 19. His funeral is scheduled to take place on June 20 at the Oshiwara crematorium in Mumbai. Vivek Lagoo was a respected figure in the Marathi theatre scene and had also made notable contributions to television and cinema. He shared a deep-rooted passion for acting with his former wife, Reema Lagoo, who earned national fame for her iconic motherly roles in films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Vaastav, as well as TV serials such as Shriman Shrimati and Naamkarann. The couple first met in 1976 during their time working at a bank and bonded over their love for theatre. They tied the knot in 1978. Despite eventually parting ways, Vivek had once described their separation as 'an understanding to restructure our lives," highlighting the mutual respect they maintained for each other even after their split. Vivek and Reema's daughter, Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul, is their only child and the sole surviving member of the family. Mrunmayee has carried forward the family's artistic legacy with distinction. A writer and director, she has worked on critically acclaimed projects such as Thappad and Scoop, establishing herself as a powerful voice in contemporary Indian storytelling. The death of Vivek Lagoo comes seven years after Reema Lagoo's sudden demise in 2017. The veteran actress passed away after complaining of chest pain shortly after wrapping up a shoot for the TV show Naamkarann. She was rushed to the hospital by Mrunmayee and her husband but succumbed to a heart attack that night. Her last rites were also held at the Oshiwara crematorium. The Lagoo family holds a special place in Indian cinema and theatre, with both Vivek and Reema being beloved figures in the performing arts community. First Published: June 20, 2025, 01:00 IST
India.com
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Why did 1993 Miss India Namrata Shirodkar leave Bollywood? Did she sacrifice her career for husband, or it was...
Before choosing a quieter life away from the arc lights, Namrata Shirodkar had carved a niche with memorable performances in films like Vaastav and Pukar . She even made an international appearance alongside Aishwarya Rai in Bride and Prejudice . But while Bollywood had its doors wide open for her, Namrata drew her boundaries — and stuck to them firmly. In a throwback interview with Rediff, Namrata admitted to turning down multiple offers that required her to perform intimate or bold scenes. 'So many!' she said when asked if she was offered such roles. 'But I'm not comfortable doing such things. I will not kiss or make love on screen. I'm not desperate. Thank God I come from a safe background.' Her decision wasn't limited to just selective scripts. After marrying Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in 2005, Namrata consciously chose to step away from acting altogether. Speaking to journalist Prema, she revealed, 'Mahesh was very clear about wanting a non-working wife. Even if I had a corporate job, he would have asked me to quit. We had something very special between us.' Namrata and Mahesh met on the sets of Vamsi in 2000, and while sparks flew early on, the couple kept their relationship under wraps for a while. The former Miss India (1993), crowned at just 21, eventually shifted her focus entirely to family life. Today, Namrata and Mahesh are parents to two children — their daughter Sitara, a budding social media star, and a son who has already made brief appearances in films. Namrata's on-screen journey may have been short, spanning just 14 films, but her graceful exit and steadfast choices continue to be remembered and respected.
