Rani Mukerji returned to the big screen with her much-anticipated film Mardaani 3, reprising her iconic role as the fearless and uncompromising cop Shivani Shivaji Roy. The third installment in the popular Mardaani franchise opened in cinemas on Friday and has registered a steady start at the Indian box office. However, despite positive audience interest and critical appreciation, the film has fallen slightly short of the opening-day numbers recorded by Mardaani 2 in 2019.
According to early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com, Mardaani 3 earned ₹3.48 crore nett in India on its first day. The film is currently running across 2,299 shows nationwide, with an average occupancy of 13.6 percent. While these numbers reflect a fair opening for a content-driven crime thriller, they are marginally lower than the ₹3.80 crore opening-day collection achieved by Mardaani 2.
The difference in numbers highlights the evolving box-office landscape, where post-pandemic audience behavior, competition from other releases, and changing viewing habits continue to impact theatrical footfalls. Nevertheless, industry observers believe that Mardaani 3 has the potential to build momentum over the weekend, especially given its strong subject matter and Rani Mukerji’s commanding performance.
Written by Aayush Gupta and directed by Abhiraj Minwala, Mardaani 3 is produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film’s release is particularly special, as it coincides with Rani Mukerji’s 30th anniversary in Indian cinema—a milestone that adds emotional weight to her return as one of her most celebrated characters.
A sequel to Mardaani 2 and the third installment in the franchise, the film stars Rani Mukerji alongside Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. The narrative once again places Shivani Shivaji Roy at the center of a harrowing investigation. This time, she is tasked with solving the case of 93 young girls who have gone missing over the course of three months, leading her into a dark and disturbing web of crime.
The Mardaani franchise began in 2014 with the release of the first film, directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar. The film was widely praised for its gritty realism and Rani’s powerful portrayal of a determined police officer. Mardaani 2, directed by Gopi Puthran and released in 2019, took a darker turn and was lauded for its chilling antagonist and uncompromising narrative.
With Mardaani 3, the makers aim to continue the franchise’s legacy of spotlighting crimes against women and children, while reinforcing the idea that such stories demand continued attention and action. While its day-one box office numbers may not have surpassed its predecessor, the film’s relevance, strong central performance, and socially conscious storytelling position it as an important addition to the series.
As the film progresses through its opening weekend, all eyes will be on whether Mardaani 3 can gain traction through word of mouth and deliver a sustained box-office run worthy of Shivani Shivaji Roy’s enduring legacy.
