Rajkummar Rao’s latest film, “Maalik,” is nearing the Rs 10 crore mark at the box office, but with a somewhat underwhelming performance so far.
“Maalik” Box Office Journey So Far
The Rajkummar Rao-starrer “Maalik” opened to a modest reception, collecting approximately Rs 3.75 crore on its first day. Trade reports suggest the film saw a slight increase in its earnings on the second day.
On Day 2, “Maalik” brought in Rs 5.25 crore, pushing its total India collection to Rs 9 crore within just two days of its release.
Audience Engagement and Occupancy
Despite the initial buzz, “Maalik” has experienced a lukewarm response from audiences, falling below industry expectations. On its second day, the film recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 18.84%.
Morning shows saw an occupancy of 6.40%, which gradually increased to 16.95% in the afternoon. Evening shows reached 19.14% occupancy, with night shows registering a stronger 32.85%.
Clashing at the Box Office
“Maalik” faced significant competition at the box office upon its release. It clashed directly with other new films like “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan,” starring Vikrant Massey and Shanaya Kapoor, and “Superman.”
Adding to the challenge, the film also contended with the second-week run of “Metro In Dino” and the Hollywood blockbuster “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
Critical Reception and Cast Insights
“Maalik” features Rajkummar Rao in a new avatar, venturing into the gangster genre. The film, directed by Pulkit, hit theaters on July 11.
The cast also includes notable actors such as Manushi Chhillar, Saurabh Shukla, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Swanand Kirkire, and Saurabh Sachdeva in pivotal roles. Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave “Maalik” one and a half stars, describing the film as “predictable to a fault.”
Her review highlighted Rajkummar Rao’s portrayal of a mobster in 80s-90s Illahabad (Allahabad), where his character engages in violence and rampage.
- “Maalik” collected Rs 9 crore in its first two days in India.
- Day 2 saw collections of Rs 5.25 crore, an increase from Day 1.
- The film recorded an overall 18.84% Hindi occupancy on Day 2.
- It faced tough box office competition from multiple new and existing releases.
- Critics have given the film a mixed to negative reception.
The film’s performance in the coming days will be crucial in determining its overall box office trajectory.
