In a recent promotional event, Akshay Kumar lauded Rani Mukerji's acting prowess, calling her the "Goddess of Acting" and urging fans to watch her latest film, Mardaani 3. The film, which hit theaters on January 30, 2026, marks Mukerji's return to the big screen as the fierce cop Shivani Shivaji Roy and is already generating buzz for its intense narrative and her powerful performance.

Kumar's praise comes at a time when Mukerji is celebrating 30 years in the Hindi film industry. Despite their long careers, Kumar and Mukerji have never shared screen space, making this public appreciation even more significant. There were reports that Mukerji declined roles early in her career due to Kumar being cast. However, the two will be seen together in Oh My Goddess 3, which is expected to start filming in mid-2026.

Mardaani 3 sees Mukerji's character, Shivani Shivaji Roy, now working with the NIA, tackling the sensitive issue of child trafficking. She is in pursuit of Amma, played by Mallika Prasad, the ruthless leader of a beggar-mafia syndicate that kidnaps and sells vulnerable girls. The film is directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Yash Raj Films, continuing the franchise's tradition of addressing dark social issues.

The film has received generally positive reviews, with many praising Mukerji's performance as one of the strongest in the series. Critics have noted her fearless screen presence and emotional depth, particularly in scenes requiring a balance between physical action and narrative weight. Some have noted that the film takes time to establish the story and characters, but the second half is more gripping, with rising tension towards a powerful climax. However, some critics felt that the film lacked the raw punch of the earlier installments.

Mardaani 3 has opened on a decent note, earning ₹3.8 crore on its opening day. The film was released across approximately 2,345 shows nationwide, with an overall occupancy of 18.01%. While the opening day numbers are not explosive, they are respectable, considering the film's serious subject matter.

Mukerji has dedicated Mardaani 3 to the Indian police force, expressing her respect for their service and sacrifices. She stated that the Mardaani franchise is her personal salute to the police force.

Adding to the support for Mukerji, Shah Rukh Khan also shared a message on X (formerly Twitter), describing her as "feisty, strong & compassionate" both on and off screen and wishing her the best for Mardaani 3.