Rajkummar Rao’s latest release, Maalik, is predicted to wrap up its lifetime box office run under Rs 25 crore net in India, marking it as one of the most disappointing mass action films of this scale.
Despite his dedicated performance, the film’s poor commercial outcome has sparked a heated online controversy, with many blaming Rajkummar himself for the film’s failure.
One user noted that with two back-to-back flops, namely Bhool Chuk Maaf and Maalik, in just two months, one cannot ignore the possibility that Stree 2 also owes much of its success to Shraddha Kapoor’s star power.
Rajkummar’s fans quickly jumped to his defense, pointing out the double standards in the industry about how outsiders like him are instantly judged when a film flops, while star kids keep getting chances despite repeated failures, often without facing the same level of scrutiny.
Many users argued that flops do not reflect an actor’s talent. If anything, critics as well as industry insiders praised Rajkummar’s performance in Maalik as well as in Bhool Chuk Maaf.
Another conversation highlighted how the industry often tends to scapegoat actors for box office disappointments instead of holding filmmakers accountable for the content that failed to connect with the audience.
Some fans believe that it’s the filmmakers whose choices in script, direction, and execution ultimately shape the film’s outcome and impact the stars involved.
These critics called out Maalik on its weak plot, uninspired action, and lackluster music as the key reasons for its failure in generating mass appeal.
The overall verdict across the internet is that two flops do not define an actor’s career, especially one that is as versatile and committed as Rajkummar Rao.
Many believe the spotlight should be on holding filmmakers accountable for stronger storytelling and creative risks, rather than unfairly blaming actors who consistently give their best despite the final result.
