Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji in her iconic role as fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, has opened to a modest start at the domestic box office. While the film has registered decent footfalls across
regions, it has fallen short of the opening-day numbers of its predecessor, Mardaani 2.
According to early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com, Mardaani 3 earned Rs 3.48 crore nett in India on its first day of release. The film is currently running across 2,299 shows nationwide, with an average occupancy of 13.6%. Despite the anticipation surrounding Rani Mukerji’s return to the franchise, the opening figures indicate a slower start compared to the second instalment.
Mardaani 3 Domestic Box Office Performance
In comparison, Mardaani 2, which released in 2019, had opened stronger with a day-one collection of Rs 3.80 crore nett. The difference, though not massive, places Mardaani 3 slightly behind its predecessor in terms of initial box office traction.
Trade analysts point out that the film’s subject matter, which once again tackles crimes against women, remains intense and disturbing — a factor that may impact walk-in audiences despite strong brand recall. However, with the weekend ahead, the film is expected to see some growth if word of mouth remains positive.
Critical reception has largely leaned favourable. News18 rated the film 3.5 out of 5. The review stated, “Rani Mukerji is fighting for every woman out there who couldn’t scream. Speaking of the actress’ performance, it’s raw, intense, and, like always, super convincing. While Rani as Shivani Shivaji Roy is someone who can never let her audience down, there is a sense of forced Marathi accent and some over-the-top dialogues in the film that might irritate you at times.”
The review also highlighted a standout supporting performance, adding, “What came as a surprise package was Prajesh Kashyap as Ramanujan. If there is someone you should go to watch this film for, then it has to be him. Prajesh not only performs, but he delivers. His acting, dialogue delivery, and everything else have been so on point that you will enter the theatre as a Rani Mukerji fan, but you will come out surprised with what Prajesh has to offer you on screen.”
About Mardaani 3
Written by Aayush Gupta and directed by Abhiraj Minwala, Mardaani 3 is produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film’s release holds added significance as it coincides with Rani Mukerji’s 30th anniversary in Indian cinema.
The third instalment of the Mardaani franchise, the film stars Rani Mukerji alongside Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad. The story follows Shivani as she investigates the disappearance of 93 young girls over a span of three months. The original Mardaani released in 2014 was directed by Pradeep Sarkar, while Mardaani 2 was helmed by Gopi Puthran.
