Select Page

Maalik (2025 film)

Maalik (transl. Boss) is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language gangster action thriller film directed by Pulkit and produced by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani.[1] The film starring Rajkummar Rao in the titular role, alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee, Manushi Chhillar and Medha Shankr.

The film is scheduled to be theatrically released on 11 July 2025.[1][2]

Cast

Production

Development

On 4 July 2024, reports indicated that filming would commence in September 2024, with locations set in Lucknow and Varanasi.[3] To prepare for the physically demanding role, Rajkummar Rao reportedly started working on building a more muscular physique.[4][5] The muhurat shot took place on 25 August 2024 in Pathakpur village.[6] The film’s music is composed by Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya.[7] Vikram Dahiya was roped in to design the action sequences.[8] Rajkummar Rao officially announced the film with sharing a poster on 31 August 2024, on his 40th birthday.[9]

Casting

Rajkummar Rao (left) portrays the lead character, alongside Manushi Chhillar (center) and Medha Shankr as the female leads.

Rajkummar Rao stars in the title role, marking his second collaboration with director Pulkit after their 2017 historical drama Bose: Dead/Alive.[8] Medha Shankr plays the female lead, while reports suggest Manushi Chhillar also has a lead role opposite Rao.[10][3][11] Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee portrays Rao's mentor.[8] The supporting cast includes Anshumaan Pushkar, Swanand Kirkire.[6] Additionally, Huma Qureshi is said to make a special cameo appearance in a dance number.[12]

Filming

Principal photography for Maalik began in late August 2024.[13] The film had a continuous three-month shooting schedule, covering Lucknow, Varanasi, and Unnao.[6] The first schedule begun in late August on the outskirts of Lucknow, along the Lucknow-Kanpur highway, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar.[14][15] The film also shot at Lucknow University's Subhash Hostel on 25 September 2024.[16] The two-month Lucknow schedule wrapped up in mid-November 2024.[17] Some scenes were shot at the District Hospital in Unnao.[18]

The final leg of filming took place in Kanpur, concluding with the protagonist's wedding sequence on 14 November 2024. Rao also performed high-intensity action sequences, including weapon-based combat and Hand-to-hand combat.[8]

Release

The film is set to be released on 11 July 2025.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Rajkummar Rao's Gangster Action Thriller Maalik Gets Release Date, Find Out". News18. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  2. ^ "Rajkummar Rao's 'Maalik' to now release in theatres on July 11". The Hindu. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Rajkummar Rao and Medha Shankar to star in action flick Maalik from Bhakshak director Pulkit; film goes on floors in September: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  4. ^ "Rajkummar Rao to transform into an action hero for Maalik: Report". The Times of India. 2024-07-04. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  5. ^ Singh, Rajni (2024-07-04). "Rajkummar Rao and 12th Fail actress Medha Shankr set to star in action thriller Maalik? Here's what we know". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  6. ^ a b c "Maalik: Rajkummar Rao reveals title and first look of his next after Stree 2 on his birthday". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  7. ^ "Rajkummar Rao begins shooting for Pulkit's new thriller Maalik; first-look poster out". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  8. ^ a b c d "Rajkummar Rao wraps up his first full-fledged actioner 'Maalik'". Mid-day. 2024-11-16. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  9. ^ "Rajkummar Rao turns gangster in 'Maalik', shares poster on 40th birthday". India Today. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  10. ^ "Rajkummar Rao to transform into an action hero for Maalik: Report". The Times of India. 2024-07-04. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  11. ^ "Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar to team up for director Pulkit's next film". The Times of India. 2024-08-07. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-10.
  12. ^ "Huma Qureshi joins Rajkummar Rao starrer Maalik with special dance: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  13. ^ "Rajkummar Rao announces new film Maalik on birthday, looks fierce as he poses with gun; fans say: Big leap from Stree 2". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  14. ^ "After Stree 2 success, Rajkummar Rao starts shooting with Manushi Chhillar for Pulkit's next in Lucknow". Hindustan Times. 2024-08-27. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  15. ^ "Rajkummar Rao begins shooting for Maalik after Stree 2 success". Filmfare. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  16. ^ "Lucknow University student's hurdang stalls Rajkummar Rao's film shoot in the city". The Times of India. 2024-09-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  17. ^ "Rajkummar Rao wraps up a two-month shooting schedule in Lucknow". The Times of India. 2024-11-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  18. ^ "उन्नाव जिला अस्पताल में 'मालिक' फिल्म की शूटिंग:राजकुमार राव ने निभाई महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका, कहा- यह एक अद्भुत अनुभव, यहां के लोग बहुत अच्छे". Dainik Bhaskar. Retrieved 2025-04-03.