How Far Will Rajkummar Rao Go for Power in ‘Maalik’?

July 1, 2025: The trailer for Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming political crime drama Maalik is out, and it’s unlike anything fans have seen from the versatile actor in recent years. Directed by Pulkit, the film sees Rao stepping into the shoes of a ruthless gangster chasing power and political dominance in the gritty lanes of 1980s Allahabad.

Ditching his recent comic avatars from Stree, Stree 2, and Bhool Chuk Maaf, Rao unleashes a dark, violent, and intense side, portraying a layered character who fights his way up in a world driven by bullets, betrayal, and ambition. The trailer teases heavy gunfire, raw action, and a man on a deadly mission.

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The film also stars Bengali cinema icon Prosenjit Chatterjee as a determined cop assigned to hunt down ‘Maalik’, along with Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, and Saurabh Sachdeva in pivotal roles. Shukla plays a powerful local leader who stands in the way of Rao’s rise to power.

Sharing the trailer on Instagram, Rajkummar captioned it with a fiery line from the film:
“Janam se nahin Qismat se banega, majboor baap ka mazboot beta, Maalik.”

In an official press note, Rajkummar said, “This role truly pushed me as an actor. It was thrilling to dive into such a gritty and intense world. Playing a ruthless gangster allowed me to explore a darker side I haven’t shown on screen before.”

Manushi Chhillar added, “This character is unlike anything I’ve done before. ‘Maalik’ gave me a chance to dive into a raw, intense role and it’s been an incredible journey.”

Maalik is produced by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani under Tips Films and Northern Lights Films and is set to release in theatres on July 11, 2025.