Rajkummar Rao and Manushi Chhillar are poised to share the screen in the forthcoming gangster drama Maalik. The film’s trailer was recently launched at an extravagant event, where the cast engaged with the media and provided insights about the project. With Maalik, Rao steps into the mass action genre.

In a recent interview, the actor reflected on his journey, recalling a time when he was not even considered for leading roles.

In a discussion with Hindustan Times, Rajkummar Rao expressed his excitement for the role, noting that it was quite different from his previous work. He stated, “As an actor, that’s what I want to do—portray diverse characters, explore various genres, and present myself in a new light to the audience. Maalik has provided me with that opportunity in a significant way.”

Shifting focus to the Maalik trailer, Rajkummar emphasized a moment where a character cautions his on-screen counterpart against aspiring to be someone he “wasn’t born to be.” He revealed that this line struck a chord with him. Reflecting on his early experiences in the industry, the actor recounted how people often attempted to pigeonhole him into specific roles.

Remembering his initial challenges in Mumbai, Rajkummar shared, “When I began in Mumbai and approached casting directors asking, ‘Can I audition for the lead role?’ they would question me why.” He mentioned that the typical response was: “Audition for this role, teen scene hain toh (it has three good scenes).”

Despite the frequent rejections, Rajkummar remained resolute, clinging to the hope that “perhaps someone would eventually allow me to audition for a lead role.” That chance finally arrived when director Dibakar Banerjee offered him a lead audition for Love Sex Aur Dhokha. This film marked a pivotal moment in his career, followed by Shahid, which garnered him critical acclaim, and then Kai Po Che, a commercial success that opened even more opportunities in the industry.

Maalik boasts a remarkable ensemble cast that includes Prosenjit Chatterjee, Medha Shankr, Huma Qureshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Swanand Kirkire. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11 and is produced by Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films banner, in partnership with Jay Shewakramani from Northern Lights Films.