Film: Maalik 

 Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Manushi Chhillar, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Anshuman Pushkar, etc

Direction: Pulkit

Rating: 3.5 Moons

Set in the backdrop of Prayagraj (then Allahabad) in 1988, ‘Maalik’ is the extraordinary journey of a common man who is forced by circumstances to enter the world of crime. The film is not just about guns and bloodshed, but is a deeply human tale woven with emotions, moral conflicts and difficult decisions. As he moves towards power, his journey turns into a bloody game - where ambition, deceit and violence do not leave him alone. And a simple man becomes a dreaded name under the pressure of time and circumstances. ‘Maalik’ presents this transformation with truth and intensity. This is the story of a man who, while fighting the system, himself becomes a new system.

 Acting

Rajkummar Rao gives the best performance of his career so far in this film. His transformation from an ordinary young man to the rising face of the crime world is commendable. His tone, body language and emotional depth are all excellent. Manushi Chhillar has given a composed and serious performance as Shalini his wife, which maintains the emotional balance in the film. Actors like Saurabh Shukla, Saurabh Sachdeva, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Anshuman Pushkar leave a strong impression in their respective roles.

 Direction 

Pulkit has handled the film with maturity and has balanced action, emotion and thrills very well. The tone of the film is very composed, although the transitions could have been smoother in some places. Still, this is a direction that beautifully weaves the local atmosphere into cinematic language.

 Dialogues 

The dialogues are the film’s biggest strength. " Maalik paida nahi hue to kya, ban to sakte hain" and "Hum majdoor baap ka beta hain ye kismat thi humari, ab aapko mazboot bete ka baap banna padega ye kismat hai aapki" directly affect the heart and remind one of the old gangster films of the Amitabh Bachchan era. These dialogues are not only applaud-worthy but also effectively portray the thoughts and emotions of the characters.

 Music and Technical Aspects

The film has a powerful background score that adds to every important scene. The action sequences are not only brutal but also stylish, adding to the story without weighing it down. The cinematography is the soul of the film, everything from the reality of the streets of Purvanchal to the grandeur of the conflict is captured beautifully. The film has been shot in Allahabad and Lucknow, which adds to its authenticity. The local dialect and surroundings make the film completely grounded.

 Overall

If you want to watch hard-hitting drama and impactful performances, ‘Maalik’ is a great experience.