Mardaani 3 box office collections day 1: Rani Mukerji's cop drama matches Mardaani 2 opening; steady start amidst Border 2 wave
Rani Mukerji returns in Mardaani 3, opening at ₹3.80 crore. Despite Border 2 competition, strong night occupancy and reviews suggest growth.
Last Updated: 10.15 AM, Jan 31, 2026
Mardaani 3 had its theatrical debut on January 30, 2026, and it marked Rani Mukerji's comeback to the big screen in her most iconic role as SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy. Consistently positive reviews have greeted the third instalment of this highly successful crime thriller series. Although it faced a deluge from Border 2, the film still found success, especially in urban centres and multiplexes.
How did the opening day collections compare to previous Mardaani films?
On its opening day, Mardaani 3 made over ₹3.80 crore in India nett, as per early trade estimates reported in Sacnilk. Opening at ₹3.80 crore in 2019, this collection is almost indistinguishable from its predecessor, Mardaani 2. Despite the seven-year gap between sequels, the film did not experience the rapid growth that some experts had projected, but the stability it exhibits suggests a dedicated fan base for the franchise.
On Friday, the film's Hindi occupancy was 18.01%. Despite a slow start with 8.97% occupancy in the morning shows, attendance grew substantially during the day. The occupancy rates for the midday performances were 14.78%, and the nighttime screenings were 17.13%. With a surge to 31.14%, the night shows were the most powerful, indicating that good reviews started to impact ticket sales around the end of the day.
Who are the key cast members and creative team behind Mardaani 3?
Mardaani 3 is a sombre film about 93 missing girls that was made by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films (YRF) label. Critics and viewers have praised Mukerji's portrayal of the courageous police officer. The film also stars Janki Bodiwala in a pivotal role, while Mallika Prasad plays "Amma", the primary antagonist. Prasad, an experienced theatre performer, has been noted for her chilling portrayal of the villain. Jisshu Sengupta is back as Dr Bikram Roy, Shivani's husband.
Because it falls on Rani Mukerji's 30th anniversary in the Indian film industry, the release of the film is much more meaningful. Experts in the industry predict that the film will require massive weekend growth to beat the lifetime collections of the other installments, even though the opening numbers are respectable for a content-driven thriller with a grim subject. With ₹47.35 crore nett, Mardaani 2 (2019) became the biggest hit in the franchise, surpassing the earnings of the original Mardaani (2014), which came in at ₹35.65 crore nett.
When will Mardaani 3 hit streaming?
Currently, Mardaani 3 is running across 2,299 shows in India. Delhi NCR and Mumbai had the highest show counts. According to the usual eight-week theatrical window, the film will play in theatres for a while before making its Netflix debut in late March 2026.
Mardaani 3 FAQs:
Q: How much did Mardaani 3 collect on its first day?
A: According to early trade estimates, Mardaani 3 earned approximately ₹3.80 crore nett in India on its opening day (January 30, 2026). This figure is identical to the opening day collections of its predecessor, Mardaani 2, which also debuted with ₹3.80 crore in 2019.
Q: Who is the villain in Mardaani 3?
A: The primary antagonist in Mardaani 3 is "Amma," the queenpin of a sprawling human trafficking network and beggar mafia. The character is played by Mallika Prasad Sinha, a veteran theatre artist and Kannada cinema actor known for her chilling and grounded performances.
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).