Mardaani 3 ending explained: Who is the shocking mastermind beggar mafia in Rani Mukerji's cop thriller

Shivani Roy tackles a medical-industrial horror in Mardaani 3. Going rogue, she dismantles a child-trafficking racket and delivers poetic medical justice.

Rani Mukerji in a still from Mardaani 3

Rani Mukerji's most iconic role, SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy, is back in Mardaani 3 released on January 30, 2026. The third installment of the Yash Raj Films franchise, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, delves into the series' darkest territory to date, replacing the emphasis on individual predators with a systematic, medical-industrial nightmare. Even though it starts off like any other kidnapping inquiry, the film's climax exposes a plot that's considerably colder and more clinical than the villains from the prior flicks.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

How does a standard kidnapping case lead Shivani to the "beggar mafia"?

The narrative begins with the abduction of two young girls, Ruhani (the daughter of Ambassador Sahu) and Jhimli (the daughter of a village caretaker). Shivani quickly discovers, upon joining the National Investigation Agency (NIA), that this kidnapping for ransom is unlike any other. In the course of her research, she meets the vicious matriarch Amma (Mallika Prasad), who is in charge of a vast "beggar mafia" and trafficking network for human beings.

However, the "beggar mafia" is merely a facade. The real tragedy lies in the reasons for the girls' abduction. Shivani continues her exploration, uncovering a high-stakes illicit medical enterprise. The abducted girls are undergoing experimental cancer treatments. The film introduces frightening concepts, such as "positives" and "negatives."

ALSO READ: Mardaani 3 review: Rani Mukerji is a flawless 'goddess' of justice in a story that is as relevant as it is heartbreakingly predictable

What is the dark truth behind the "positive" and "negative" classifications of the abducted girls?

Positive: Adverse reactions in children with terminal cancer that occur during the studies. Killing these young girls because they are "expendable" helps cover up the crime.

Negative: Children who demonstrate antibody production potential or who make it through the first trials are considered negative. To conduct more intrusive tests, these girls are kept alive.

Who is the real tactical genius operating behind Amma’s public facade?

Unlike previous installments, the main villain is not who Shivani initially thought. Ramanujan (Prajesh Kashyap) is revealed to be the operation's tactical mastermind, although Amma is its public face.

Ramanujan employs his "saviour" persona to win over the police and the victims, since he is initially introduced as a mild-mannered NGO founder who is committed to helping street children. He runs the drug studies and is trying to sell the results to global companies. Thanks to his high-level connections and impeccable record, Ramanujan manipulates the court system, marking a pivotal moment for Shivani.

Why is Shivani suspended from the force despite her progress on the case?

The case against Ramanujan falls apart when a crucial witness takes his life while in detention as a result of a breach in security. Influential individuals within the system safeguard the lucrative medical data by intervening and suspending Shivani from the force.

In the film's final act, a suspended Shivani ultimately abandons the "rule book" that has proven ineffective for her. Realising that the legal system cannot touch Ramanujan, she recruits her protégé, Constable Fatima (Janki Bodiwala), to go rogue.

How does the confrontation with Amma represent a departure from previous villain battles?

Shivani prepares the girls for their final transfer to the facility. Shivani engages Amma in a thrilling confrontation. This battle is a physical confrontation between two women who stand for opposing extremes of survival, in contrast to the mental struggle with the antagonists in the previous two films. By killing Amma, the conflict broke the organization's trafficking machine.

The action intensifies in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as Ramanujan attempts to finalise the agreement for the experimental medication. Shivani and Fatima succeed in tricking him, ensuring the safety of the remaining abducted females, including Jhimli.

Why does Shivani choose a medical punishment over a traditional arrest for Ramanujan?

She administers a poetic, medical justice rather than an arrest warrant for Ramanujan, knowing full well that he would most certainly be freed again. She tells him the truth about the hurt he caused. Shivani subdues Ramanujan and injects him with the experimental serum that caused cancer in the children; this moment is the most talked-about from the film.

In a disturbing twist, the film ends with Ramanujan surviving but in a paralysed, permanent vegetative condition caused by the drug. Like the "positive" test subjects, he is essentially confined to his body and must endure the same medical misery.

How does the system respond to Shivani after the exposure of the medical racket?

Subsequently, the system is unable to safeguard those concerned because of the indisputable magnitude of the medical racket. They have recommended awarding Shivani the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, and they have lifted her suspension.

There appears to be a change in the trajectory of the franchise in the film's last moments. The power to form an autonomous task force to combat medical crimes and human trafficking across state lines has been bestowed upon Shivani. Mardaani 3 allows Shivani to continue her work on a national scale, in contrast to the Mardaani and Mardaani 2 climaxes, which felt like specific instances were wrapped up.

What does Mardaani 3 conclude about the relationship between law and true justice?

The series' central subject is reaffirmed at the ending: that the law is frequently a crude tool in the fight against complex evil, and that genuine "Mardaani" (valour) sometimes necessitates leaving the uniform to ensure that individuals who regard human lives as "cheap" are punished.

Mardaani 3 FAQs:

Q: Who is the main villain in Mardaani 3?

A: Mardaani 3 features a dual-villain structure. While Amma (Mallika Prasad) is the visible leader of the trafficking ring, the true tactical mastermind is Ramanujan (Prajesh Kashyap). He uses his facade as an NGO founder to run a high-stakes illegal medical racket, testing experimental drugs on kidnapped children.

Q: Will there be a Mardaani 4?

A: While Yash Raj Films has not officially confirmed a sequel, the ending of Mardaani 3 strongly suggests one. Shivani Roy is recommended for the President’s Police Medal and granted authority to lead a new independent task force, shifting the franchise from local cases to national-level crime dismantling.

Q: When will Mardaani 3 release on OTT?

A: Mardaani 3 is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 27, 2026. This follows the standard 56-day (eight-week) exclusive theatrical window typically maintained by Yash Raj Films (YRF).

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