Rajkummar Rao is set to return to the big screen with Maalik, an action thriller directed by Pulkit and co-starring Manushi Chhillar. Scheduled for release on July 11, 2025, the film has seen modest traction in advance bookings, hinting at a slow start at the box office.
6,500 Tickets Sold in Top National Chains
Advance bookings for Maalik opened on Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday 5:30 PM, the film had sold around 4,000 tickets, eventually reaching 6,500 across major multiplex chains PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis for opening day. Initial projections had expected bookings to fall between 10,000 to 12,000 tickets, but momentum never picked up.
In contrast, Rajkummar Rao’s previous release, Bhool Chuk Maaf, sold 30,000 tickets in final advance bookings across the same chains, underlining the underwhelming response to Maalik.
View this post on Instagram
Low Opening Predicted, Word of Mouth Crucial
Given the slow advance booking trend, Maalik is projected to open with Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 2.5 crore on Friday. The film’s long-term prospects now hinge heavily on word of mouth and critical reception post-release.
Also Read: Maalik Dialogues: Rajkummar Rao’s Intense Dialogues Get Fans Hooked
Tough Competition at the Box Office
Maalik will face stiff competition from multiple releases, including Superman and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. It will also go head-to-head with holdover titles like Metro In Dino, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and F1: The Movie, which continue to retain screens.
Star Cast and Plot
Maalik features Rajkummar Rao as a gangster, with Manushi Chhillar portraying his wife, Vidya. The ensemble cast includes Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Huma Qureshi, and Anshumaan Pushkar in pivotal roles.
Jointly produced by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani, Maalik blends crime, action, and emotion—but needs strong audience support to stay afloat.
