Mardaani 3: Rani Mukerji’s thriller gets U/A 16+ rating and leaner runtime after CBFC edits
Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 hits screens January 30, 2026. The grit-heavy trafficking thriller was trimmed to 130 mins for a U/A 16+ rating and tighter pacing.
Last Updated: 10.54 AM, Jan 24, 2026
With the theatrical premiere of Mardaani 3 rapidly approaching, fans eagerly await Rani Mukerji's much-anticipated return as the formidable Shivani Shivaji Roy. A major production for the actor, the film marks the beginning of her 30th year in the Indian film industry. It is produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF) and directed by Abhiraj Minawala. The release had to be moved from late February to January 30, 2026, which meant the censorship and certification procedure had to be finished quickly.
What is the storyline and who is the antagonist in Mardaani 3?
This third chapter, scripted by Aayush Gupta, explores a "dark, deadly, and brutal" storyline focused on a beggar mafia and a large-scale people trafficking operation. A terrifying new enemy named "Amma", played by Mallika Prasad, forces Shivani Roy into a high-stakes showdown after she is assigned the responsibility of finding dozens of missing girls. Increasing the action level while staying true to the franchise's history of socially conscious, gritty narrative is the goal of the film.
On January 14, 2026, Mardaani 3 received a U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The makers had to make a number of deliberate adjustments to get this grade. The board directed the replacement of the word 'bachhi' with 'ladki' and substituted the term 'wh**e' with 'trader' in the English subtitles. Formal age proof for the actor involved had to be submitted by YRF to ensure she was not a minor, as the sequence depicting sexual violence was very sensitive.
Which specific edits and disclaimers were mandated?
The removal of an insulting mother allusion and the substitution of sexually explicit language were two further adjustments. Additionally, footage showing a girl being struck was cut. Broadly speaking, the CBFC wanted certain names of countries removed from one scene and any derogatory allusions to the Indian government removed. Drug disclaimers and textual information about human trafficking of children and women have been included in the film to meet educational standards.
The makers decided to make more voluntary changes to the film to make the pacing tighter after the first certification. On January 23, 2026, the CBFC approved the cutting or deletion of fourteen scenes. The cuts ranged in length from nine to fifty-nine seconds per scene.
How do these edits affect the final runtime?
These cumulative cutbacks have a noticeable effect on the running time of the film. The film's initial 137.07-minute running time—approximately 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 7 seconds—was approved by the censor board in the middle of January. Nevertheless, the story was cut by around six and a half minutes due to the later voluntary changes. The confirmed running duration of the final theatrical version of Mardaani 3 is 130.37 minutes, which translates to two hours, 10 minutes, and 37 seconds.
The streamlined running time of Mardaani 3, lasting 130 minutes, is designed to heighten the suspenseful "race against time" vibe during Shivani Roy's search for the missing victims.
Mardaani 3 FAQs:
Q: What is the release date of Mardaani 3?
A: Mardaani 3 is scheduled to release in theatres on January 30, 2026. Initially slated for late February, the release was preponed by Yash Raj Films to kick off Rani Mukerji’s 30th year in the film industry.
Q: What is the runtime of Mardaani 3?
A: The final theatrical runtime of Mardaani 3 is 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 37 seconds (130.37 minutes). While the film was initially certified at 137 minutes, the producers implemented voluntary cuts of approximately six and a half minutes to sharpen the film's pacing.
Q: Who is the villain in Mardaani 3?
A: The primary antagonist in Mardaani 3 is a character known as 'Amma', portrayed by acclaimed actor Mallika Prasad. The film features a high-stakes confrontation between Shivani Shivaji Roy and Amma, who leads a brutal human trafficking and beggar mafia.