Maalik trailer: Rajkummar Rao drops bullets like raindrops in this violent crime-drama. Watch

WATCH | Maalik trailer

The film has been directed by Pulkit, who has previously directed Bhumi Pednekar-starrer Bhakshak, and Rajkummar-starrer web series Bose Dead/Alive. Maalik appears to be an attempt at creating a Gangs of Wasseypur-like story, but on a bigger scale. In the last few years, with shows like Mirzapur, and many others that are set in the northern part of India, stories of gangs that conduct their illegal activities, and operate their illegal businesses, along with having an active political career, have become popular on OTT platforms. It is yet to be seen if Maalik can serve something more on the big screen. One can argue that even a film like Pushpa did the same thing, but since it was a set in a different geographical location, the audience got to see it through a different filter.

For Rao, Maalik comes a year after Stree 2, which proved to be the biggest hit of his career. The film made almost Rs 600 crore at the domestic box office. However, since them, Rao has appeared in two Hindi films – Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video and Bhool Chuk Maaf – and while the former sank without a trace, the latter reportedly made Rs 70 crore at the box office, even though it was exclusively in the theatres for just two weeks. This will be Rao’s first attempt at playing a massy hero whose moral compass is governed by the bullets in his pocket.

Maalik releases on July 11.