B-Town Cheers as Kareena Kapoor Khan Roots for 'Maalik'
The buzz around Rajkummar Rao’s latest flick, Maalik, reached a new level after Kareena Kapoor Khan publicly backed the film. While many Bollywood stars support co-stars and friends, Kareena went a step further, making Rao’s gritty action thriller a talking point just a day before its cinema release. On her Instagram Stories, she urged fans to head to theaters, adding in her classic, warm tone, “Kill it guys… sending huge love!” That’s the kind of morale boost any crew would want before a big day.
What’s interesting? Kareena and Rajkummar Rao have never actually worked together. Her show of encouragement isn’t just a friendly Insta story—it’s a reminder that Bollywood’s sense of togetherness goes beyond professional partnerships. Kareena’s message tagged not only Rao but also other prominent members of the 'Maalik' gang, including Manushi Chhillar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Medha Shankr, Huma Qureshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Swanand Kirkire. Even though she was sunning herself on a beach vacation with her family, Kareena made time to send the crew her best. The timing? Impeccable.
'Maalik': Rajkummar Rao Reinvents Himself for 1988 Allahabad
The anticipation around 'Maalik' started months ago, but the excitement ramped up when the project was announced on Rao’s 40th birthday. Directed by Pulkit and bankrolled by Kumar Taurani (Tips Films) and Jay Shewakramani (Northern Lights Films), the movie has been pitched as an all-out action thriller. Rao, known for intense and transformative roles, really put himself on the line for this one. He grew his beard for over 80 days, bringing rough edges to his screen persona and making his character’s journey through 1988 Allahabad feel more authentic and wild.
The ensemble cast reads like a who’s who of today’s versatile actors: alongside Rao, there’s Manushi Chhillar—carving her place beyond pageantry—veteran Prosenjit Chatterjee, and the scene-stealers Medha Shankr, Huma Qureshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Swanand Kirkire. The trailer has people talking thanks to its raw look, brooding energy, and a promise of something more than the usual fight-and-chase formula. The narrative digs into the pulse of late-80s North India, giving Rao a playground where he can flex a new kind of muscle—both literally and dramatically.
As Bollywood continues shifting towards more high-stakes and ambitious stories, the buzz around such films depends a lot on peer endorsements. Kareena’s signal boost arrives at a time when star power and viral momentum often trump huge marketing budgets. The sneak peek into her own getaway—glamorous as ever—just added to the star-studded hype surrounding this film.
Now, all eyes are on the audience and box office to see if Rao and team “kill it” as Kareena hopes. One thing’s for sure: When Bollywood’s biggest cheer for each other, the excitement spreads far beyond social media stories.