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After the record-breaking success of Stree 2, which grossed over ₹800 crore at the global box office, Rajkummar Rao is now facing a rough patch with consecutive flops. Two months ago, Bhool Chook Maaf failed to click with Hindi audiences, and now his latest release Malik is turning out to be another major disappointment.

Released last week, Malik couldn’t even collect ₹25 crore in its opening weekend and shows no signs of recovery during weekdays. Despite the massive success of Stree 2, Malik is drawing heavy criticism for its weak storyline and poor execution. Audiences have been vocal on social media, calling the film lackluster and questioning Rajkummar Rao’s choice of script. The negative word of mouth has further dented the film’s already weak box office performance.

Fans and critics alike believe that after a blockbuster like Stree 2, audiences expect consistent, high-quality content from their favorite stars. When expectations aren’t met, the backlash is inevitable — something that’s become clear with Malik. Many are baffled that Rajkummar Rao even agreed to a project with such a shallow and outdated narrative.

Set in the 1980s, Malik tells the story of Deepak, a young man from an agricultural family who accidentally steps into the world of crime after killing a local goon who seizes his father’s land. Gradually, Deepak transforms into a notorious underworld don named Malik. The film traces his violent rise and questions what ultimately happens to him. However, the narrative offers nothing new, resembling several earlier films in the same genre. The storytelling and treatment failed to captivate viewers, leading to disinterest within the first few days of release.

Fans of Rajkummar Rao are now urging him to be more cautious in selecting scripts. Industry experts also emphasize that while stardom boosts an actor’s visibility, it also comes with higher expectations. Poor content choices can quickly erode that stardom.

With two back-to-back failures, all eyes are now on Rajkummar Rao’s next move — will he recalibrate his approach to script selection or continue this downward trajectory? Only time will tell.