Despite Rao’s power-packed performance and a compelling 1980s Allahabad backdrop, ‘Maalik’ faces too stiff rivalry from Hollywood’s ‘Superman’ at the Indian box office.
Rajkummar Rao’s much-anticipated gangster debut, Maalik, opened in cinemas with an underwhelming ₹4.02 crore on Day 1, according to PTI. Directed by Bhakshak renown Pulkit, the gritty activeness shoot explores the arise of a gangster in the politically turbulent lanes of 1980s Allahabad. Despite existence Rao’s secondly collaboration with the director after Bose: Dead/Alive, the opening buzz hasn’t quite matched expectations.
The ensemble cast includes Manushi Chhillar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Saurabh Shukla, Swanand Kirkire and Saurabh Sachdeva, but that hasn’t been sufficiency to pull in the crowds — with Hindi occupancy on Friday averaging just 12.86%. Chennai topped city-wise turnout at 26.67%, while metros quite like Mumbai and Delhi NCR lagged behind.
Maalik’s opening day earnings trail behind Rao’s rom-com Bhool Chuk Maaf (₹7 Cr) but very far outpaced Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (₹32 lakh). The film’s quite slow start is beingness attributed to James Gunn’s Superman, which flew in with a ₹7 crore opening.
Whether ‘Maalik’ can pick up steam o’er the weekend remains to be seen — but for now, the gangster drama’s gunfire seems a bit muffled.
