Rani Mukerji steps back into her cop shoes as Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3, hitting theaters on January 30, 2026. This third chapter comes from director Abhiraj Minawala, who takes over a franchise known for tackling tough subjects without flinching.
What makes this film different? For the first time, Shivani faces a woman as her main enemy. The cast brings together Mallika Prasad, Janki Bodiwala, Prajesh Kashyap, and Jisshu Sengupta. The story digs into the murky world of child trafficking and organized crime that preys on society’s most helpless.
The Plot Unfolds
Opening in the mangroves of Sundarbans, we see Shivani taking down traffickers almost single-handedly. Before the dust settles, she’s pulled into a case in Delhi – a diplomat’s daughter has vanished.
But here’s the thing – this isn’t just about one girl. Shivani discovers that 93 girls from poor families disappeared before anyone with power cared enough to investigate. The film asks an uncomfortable question: why does it take a VIP’s loss for the system to wake up?
The initial portions pull you in with steady momentum. You can feel the tension building, even when certain scenes stretch believability. Then comes the interval, and things change. The narrative starts throwing curveballs every few minutes, and not in a good way. It feels less like clever storytelling and more like the writers couldn’t choose which twist to keep.
Rani Commands Every Frame
Let me be clear – Rani Mukerji is the reason this film works at all. She doesn’t just play Shivani; she becomes her. That opening sequence alone tells you everything. No fancy camera tricks, no dramatic music swells. Just a cop doing her job with absolute conviction.
What got to me were the quieter beats. Yes, the action delivers, but watch Rani in those moments where Shivani’s armor cracks slightly. That’s where the real performance lives. You see a woman carrying the weight of all those missing girls, and it shows.
If we’re talking about female cops in Hindi cinema, Shivani sits at the top. Rani has made this character her own across three films, and here she proves there’s still more to explore.
Mixed Bag of Antagonists
Mallika Prasad’s Amma starts strong – really strong. She brings this quiet menace that’s far more unsettling than loud villainy. When she first appears, you feel the danger radiating from her. But somewhere along the way, that edge dulls. The character needed more development to sustain that initial impact.
Now, Prajesh Kashyap caught me off guard. His Ramanujan isn’t just a side villain; he creates real tension whenever he’s on screen. The guy’s got presence, and his scenes with Rani crackle with the right energy. Definitely someone to watch.
Janki Bodiwala, though, gets shortchanged badly. She showed what she could do in Shaitaan, but here? The script barely uses her. That’s frustrating because you can see the potential just sitting there, wasted.
Technical Strengths
The score works well – it builds atmosphere without drowning out the story. The camera work stays clean and focused. In the first half, the editing maintains good rhythm, keeping things moving without feeling rushed.
Minawala handles the direction with confidence. He’s clearly studied what made the earlier Mardaani films tick. The action stays grounded in reality. Shivani doesn’t become a superhero. She fights, she bleeds, she struggles. That authenticity makes her victories mean something.
There’s no excessive slow-motion or gravity-defying stunts. Just raw, physical confrontations that feel like they could actually happen. That choice elevates the entire film’s credibility.
Where It Stumbles
The second half becomes a problem. Twist after twist after twist – it never stops. At some point, surprise loses its punch when you’re expecting another one every ten minutes. Less would have been so much more here.
The script also leaves threads hanging. Questions get raised and then abandoned. Some scenes feel rushed through while others drag unnecessarily. The balance is off.
Here’s my bigger issue – the film feels too comfortable with its formula. We’ve seen this cop-versus-criminal setup before, done this exact way. The franchise needs fresh angles, new approaches. Playing it safe might work once, but by the third film, you want evolution.
What Critics and Viewers Said
Bollywood Hungama rated it 3.5 stars, highlighting Rani’s fierce performance and calling it a worthy thriller. They appreciated how it stayed loyal to what makes the franchise distinct.
Several online critics weren’t as kind, giving it around 4 out of 10. Their main complaint? The film gets lost in its own ambitions during the second half, losing the tight focus that made earlier scenes work.
Social media reactions leaned positive at roughly 3 stars. Viewers called it engaging and worth the ticket price, especially for Rani’s work. The realistic action and serious treatment of the subject earned praise.
Industry reviewers pointed out that the film follows a template rather than breaking new ground. They felt it delivered competent filmmaking without reaching for anything exceptional.
The Bottom Line
Mardaani 3 works as a crime thriller with a strong lead performance. The film has genuine strengths – Rani’s commanding presence, solid technical work, and moments of real tension.
But it also has clear weaknesses. The chaotic second half, underused supporting cast, and lack of fresh ideas hold it back from greatness. It doesn’t reach the bar set by the first two installments.
Should you watch it? If you’re invested in Rani’s Shivani or you enjoy gritty crime dramas, yes. Just adjust your expectations. This isn’t going to reinvent anything or leave you thinking about it for days.
It’s a professionally made film that does its job without pushing boundaries. Sometimes that’s enough. Sometimes it isn’t.
3/5
