What is the story about?
Bollywood star Rani Mukerji is poised to unveil the third installment of Mardaani film series on January 30. In a candid interview, she shared insights
about her role and the significance of films that highlight societal injustices in the nation. She reflected on the serious nature of the subject matter and the foundation of this franchise, which was built on the outrage felt in response to the ongoing violent acts against women. Notably, this new installment has been penned by Aayush Gupta, known for his work on The Railway Men, and directed by Abhiraj Minawala.
Rani Mukerji discusses the Mardaani series
In our conversation, Rani Mukerji acknowledged that films like Mardaani can evoke discomfort and unease among viewers. She stated, "It's crucial that we confront this discomfort and acknowledge our unease because if we don't recognize these issues, we will remain oblivious to them. This is the era where we must be acutely aware of such matters, and feeling a bit uncomfortable is essential, as it leads to understanding the reality. Demons don’t announce their arrival; they can emerge unexpectedly. It only takes one unfortunate moment for something to occur. Therefore, experiencing that discomfort is vital to realize that there is a girl somewhere in the world facing a challenging situation right now."
Rani elaborates on the franchise's concept
Continuing the discussion, she revealed that the film series was conceived in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya incident, fueled by the collective outrage that swept the nation at that time. She elaborated, "It was the shared fury and shock we all felt, the sheer brutality of the event. We were taken aback, as it was perhaps the first time we encountered something so horrific and inhumane, leaving us all in disbelief and horror."
"Adi (Aditya Chopra, producer), Pradeep Da (the director of the first film), and I felt this collective rage, and we needed a way to express it. As artists and performers, our outlet is through our films. Thus, Mardaani emerged from that anger."
She also mentioned that the cast and crew have never viewed Mardaani as merely a franchise but rather as films aimed at empowering women, addressing the lingering question: "Why is it always women who endure this?"
Check out the full interview below:
Further details about the film
Mardaani 3 has been crafted by Aayush Gupta, recognized for his work on The Railway Men. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, this project will see Rani reprise her iconic role as Shivani Shivaji Roy. Produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, Mardaani 3 explores another grim and harsh reality of our society. The first two films in the series previously tackled sensitive issues like human trafficking and a serial rapist. The film is set to hit theaters worldwide on January 30.
