Rajkummar Rao’s first full blown action gangster film Maalik has officially opened to a modest box office collection of Rs 4.02 crore on its first day in India. While the number reflects decent footfall for a character driven narrative, it still falls short of the kind of explosive launch fans might have hoped for, especially given Rao’s committed performance and the film’s pre release build up.
Directed by Pulkit, who previously collaborated with Rao on the acclaimed web series Bose: Dead/Alive, Maalik immerses viewers into the dark, turbulent alleys of 1980s Allahabad. The film explores power, politics, and betrayal through the eyes of a man clawing his way to the top of the crime world. But despite this rich premise, the film struggled to draw major metro audiences on Day 1, with occupancy rates in Mumbai and Delhi NCR barely crossing 14 percent. Interestingly, smaller cities like Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur saw stronger traction, with turnout exceeding 22 percent in several locations.
Maalik also finds itself caught in a tough box office weekend, releasing alongside James Gunn’s high profile Superman reboot, which raked in Rs 7 crore on its opening day. The Hollywood superhero flick appears to have cannibalized urban ticket sales, especially among younger audiences seeking spectacle over substance. Rao’s Maalik, while grounded and intense, could not match that scale or hype.
In comparison, Maalik’s opening day numbers trail behind Rajkummar Rao’s last theatrical release Bhool Chuk Maaf, which earned Rs 7 crore on Day 1. However, it did outperform the recently released Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, which flopped with just Rs 32 lakh despite being Shanaya Kapoor’s much talked about debut.
The day wise occupancy also paints a sobering picture. Maalik began with just 6.65 percent occupancy in morning shows, climbed only slightly through the day, and peaked at 21.88 percent during night screenings. This marginal growth signals cautious interest but not mass enthusiasm.
The silver lining lies in the weekend. Word of mouth and critical appreciation for Rajkummar Rao’s transformation into a ruthless gangster could drive growth in the coming days. But for now, Maalik stands at a delicate crossroads. It has the substance, the lead star’s dedication, and a gritty world worth exploring, but whether that translates into box office momentum depends entirely on how audiences show up over the weekend.
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