Malamaal Machine Gets 2.5/5 in IWMBuzz Review

Bullet TV’s micro drama Malamaal Machine arrives with a very tempting “what if”: a jobless man, buried in debt, discovers a machine that can print real currency. That is the kind of hook that gets a viewer to tap play. The question is whether the show knows what to do with it. IWMBuzz’s review is a measured one—2.5 out of 5.

A fantasy that flips into a thriller

Manoj is struggling with debt when he finds the mysterious machine. At first it looks like a ticket out of his financial mess. Very quickly, the story changes gears: the same money that promises freedom starts attracting people who are ready to do anything to take it. Manoj’s problem is no longer just clearing his debts. It becomes keeping his family safe and finding a way out of the chaos.

Rajat Verma leads the cast, alongside Arjun Singh Shekhawat, Radhika Chavan, Kaushiki Rathore and Abhishek Garg. The central idea gives everyone plenty to play with—tension, conflict and the kind of sudden reversals that keep short thrillers moving.

What the review likes

The show’s biggest asset is the premise itself. “The show’s biggest strength lies in its premise,” IWMBuzz notes. Financial insecurity is something most viewers understand, and the machine plugs straight into the daydream of escaping debt overnight. That emotional hook is strong, and the shift from money fantasy to survival thriller gives the story a clear direction.

Where it gets uneven

A machine that prints unlimited real currency is also an enormous plot device. To keep the story believable within its own world, the criminal threat has to feel credible, and Manoj’s choices need to make sense as the danger rises. Without enough character development, the review warns, the series risks leaning on the novelty of the machine rather than earning its twists.

Then there is the format. Bullet specialises in microdrama for mobile, with episodes that run under five minutes. That speed is great for launching a high-concept conflict. It leaves far less room to explore why characters do what they do, build relationships or let a big reveal breathe.

• The hook: A currency-printing machine raises the stakes instantly.
• The turn: Manoj goes from escaping debt to protecting his family.
• The risk: Short episodes leave limited space for character depth.

Should you add it to your list?

If you enjoy quick, high-stakes thrillers, Malamaal Machine is worth a look—especially because it is a small time investment. But calibrate your expectations. The 2.5/5 rating suggests the idea has more pull than the execution so far, and the review stops short of confirming how consistently the finished series delivers. For viewers curious about India’s growing microdrama space, this is a useful test case: a strong hook can get you to start, but character and payoff decide whether you stay.

Source: IWMBuzz