Rani Mukerji steps back into familiar territory. With Mardaani 3, Rani Mukerji returns to one of the most defining roles of her career. She reprises Shivani Shivaji Roy, the upright and relentless police officer who refuses to bend before power, fear, or patriarchy. The film arrives after the critical success of Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, which also earned Rani her first National Award. That context adds weight to this release and raises expectations.
A story rooted in systemic issues
Mardaani 3 stays true to the franchise’s core. It places a crime investigation within a larger social framework. This time, the narrative focuses sharply on systemic sexism and deeply ingrained patriarchy. Rather than relying only on shock value, the film uses everyday realities to build its conflict. As a result, the tension feels familiar, uncomfortable, and relevant. The case Shivani handles is less about catching a criminal and more about confronting a mindset.
Rani Mukerji anchors the film
Rani Mukerji once again proves why Shivani Roy remains her most impactful modern role. She brings restraint instead of theatrics. Her performance relies on stillness, controlled anger, and moral clarity. The character does not preach. She observes, acts, and confronts. This approach keeps the film grounded and avoids turning it into a loud statement piece.
The film maintains a tight, no-frills tone. It avoids unnecessary subplots and sticks closely to the investigation. The pacing remains steady, though it slows slightly in the middle stretch. Still, the narrative never loses sight of its purpose. The intent feels clear, even when the execution feels familiar to fans of the franchise.
Box office opens on a cautious note
Despite decent reviews, Mardaani 3 recorded a moderate opening at the box office. The film earned ₹3.8 crore on its first day. It played across 2,345 shows nationwide and registered an overall occupancy of 18.01 percent. Morning shows opened slowly, but footfalls improved as the day progressed. Night shows performed the strongest, crossing 31 percent occupancy.
Regional performance shows mixed trends
Delhi-NCR led in terms of the number of shows, with 526 screenings and an occupancy of nearly 19 percent. Mumbai followed with fewer shows but a stronger occupancy of almost 27 percent. These figures suggest urban audiences showed relatively higher interest, especially during evening and night slots.
Screen sharing affects reach
Despite backing from Yash Raj Films, Mardaani 3 released on a limited number of screens. It continues to share theatres with last week’s big release Border 2, which still occupies close to 5,000 screens nationwide. Border 2’s stronghold has limited Mardaani 3’s visibility, especially in single-screen and mass circuits.
Interestingly, Mardaani 3 matches the opening-day collection of Mardaani 2, which also earned ₹3.8 crore on its first day in 2019. This parity suggests steady franchise loyalty. At the same time, it highlights how difficult it has become for mid-budget, issue-driven films to break out theatrically.
Standing among Rani Mukerji’s recent films
In comparison to Rani Mukerji’s recent releases, Mardaani 3 performs better at the start. It has opened higher than Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Bunty Aur Babli 2, and Hichki. This indicates that the Mardaani brand still holds recall value, even in a crowded release window.
Among recent female-led crime dramas, Mardaani 3 has secured a stronger opening. It has outperformed The Buckingham Murders and Haq in first-day collections. This suggests that audiences continue to respond to familiar characters and long-running franchises over standalone experiments.
Strengths and limitations
The film’s biggest strength lies in its clarity of purpose and Rani Mukerji’s assured performance. However, the narrative does not reinvent the franchise. Some viewers may find the structure predictable. Yet, the emotional honesty and social relevance help the film stay effective.
Mardaani 3 does not aim to shock. It aims to confront. It may not deliver a massive opening, but it reinforces why Shivani Shivaji Roy remains one of Hindi cinema’s most credible female protagonists. With steady word of mouth and weekend growth, the film could find its audience over time. For viewers seeking substance over spectacle, Mardaani 3 offers a familiar but meaningful watch.
