Rajkummar Rao’s gritty crime drama Maalik is steadily gaining momentum at the box office. After an opening day collection of ₹3.75 crore, the film experienced a healthy jump on its second day, pulling in approximately ₹4.45 crore. This takes its two-day total to ₹8.2 crore. Saturday saw a notable increase in footfalls, with overall Hindi occupancy reaching 14.16%, and evening shows peaking at 19.14%—indicating that strong word of mouth is beginning to take hold.
On the other hand, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a romantic drama starring Vikrant Massey and debutante Shanaya Kapoor, has had a slower start. The film earned ₹36 lakh on Day 2, a slight improvement over its ₹30 lakh opening. With a cumulative total of ₹66 lakh and an occupancy rate hovering around 12.61%, it continues to lag behind Maalik in terms of audience response and box office draw.
Maalik, which boasts a powerful supporting cast including Prosenjit Chatterjee and Manushi Chhillar, is winning viewers over with its intense storytelling and strong performances. Joining Rao on screen are Saurabh Sachdeva, Saurabh Shukla, Anshumaan Pushkar, Swanand Kirkire, Rajendra Gupta, and Baljinder Kaur—each adding depth to the film’s gritty narrative.
In contrast, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan explores themes of love, longing, and emotional vulnerability. While its subject matter is grounded in relatable human emotions, the film has yet to make a substantial impact on audiences or generate significant buzz.
Though both films cater to very different tastes—hard-hitting crime drama versus heartfelt romance—Maalik has clearly struck a stronger chord with moviegoers so far, buoyed by a compelling central performance from Rao and growing positive chatter from early viewers.
