The highly anticipated Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji, has hit theaters on January 30, 2026, and early reviews are already pouring in. This third installment of the Mardaani franchise, a series known for its hard-hitting portrayal of social issues and strong female lead, sees Mukerji reprising her role as DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy IPS.
Mardaani 3 delves into the dark and brutal world of child trafficking and the beggar mafia. The film follows Shivani as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of 93 young girls within three months, unearthing a horrifying network. The film is a fictionalized story that is inspired by true events.
Initial reactions from viewers who caught the first shows have been shared on social media, with one Twitter user giving the film a 3/5 rating, describing it as intense, relevant, and emotionally impactful. This user highlighted the film's adherence to the core themes of crime and justice, maintaining a serious tone throughout. The plot is considered simple yet emotionally strong, effectively engaging the audience until the very end.
Many are praising Rani Mukerji for her powerful performance as the fearless cop. Mukerji's portrayal of Shivani Shivaji Roy has been a cornerstone of the franchise, and Mardaani 3 is said to test her acting prowess once again. The film is written by Aayush Gupta and directed by Abhiraj Minawala. Minawala, who has worked on several Yash Raj Films productions, is taking over the Mardaani franchise with this installment.
The Mardaani series has a reputation for creating memorable antagonists that act as cultural flashpoints. Mardaani 3 introduces Mallika Prasad as Amma, the film's main antagonist.
Rani Mukerji has spoken about the Mardaani franchise making the audience uncomfortable, revealing that the series was conceptualized with the 2012 Delhi Murder Case in mind. Mukerji notes the rage felt since the Nirbhaya case and emphasizes that crimes do not see gender. According to her, evil can be in anyone's heart, regardless of whether they are men or women.
Mardaani 3 marks one of the first mega-budget YRF productions of the year and also celebrates Rani Mukerji's 30 years in Bollywood. The film also stars Janki Bodiwala, Jisshu Sengupta, Mikhail Yawalkar, and Indraneel Bhattacharya.
The film is anticipated to start streaming on Netflix on March 27, 2026.
