Rani Mukerji on the emotional stakes of Mardaani 3: 'Trying to shake people up, but had to detach myself'
Rani Mukerji returns in Mardaani 3 to tackle India's missing girls crisis. She discusses the physical and biological challenges of the role and her focus on highlighting vital social issues.
Last Updated: 09.40 AM, Jan 17, 2026
Rani Mukerji, who has completed three decades in the Indian film industry, is preparing to return to the screen as Shivani Shivaji Roy in the upcoming Mardaani 3. The film, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, is the third instalment in a series that has successfully entered the male-dominated Hindi cinema industry.
How does Rani Mukerji view the specific demands of the Mardaani franchise?
The length of her work, Mukerji says, has given her a good look at the challenges that come with being a professional. While she acknowledges that work is required for every endeavour, she says the Mardaani series is particularly demanding.
To play a high-ranking police official, one must have a certain physical presence and in-depth knowledge of the character's internal clock; it's not enough to simply memorise the script. Speaking openly about the difficulties female performers encounter as they grow older and deal with life changes, Mukerji juggled the character with her own life.
What did Rani Mukerji say about the personal and biological hurdles female actors face as they age?
In an interview with Mid Day, the actor stated, "In a female actor’s life, a lot of hard work is involved. I’m a married woman who has had a baby. Every month, year, and decade is different for us because of our hormonal changes. We’re constantly battling that. Then we have to work on a role like Shivani, where you have to look a certain way; your body language and manner of speaking have to [convey] that you are a cop."
In keeping with previous entries in the series, Mardaani 3 addresses serious, real-world issues. The upcoming film centres on the missing girls epidemic in India, while earlier entries dealt with human trafficking and brutal sexual assault. The subject matter's emotional weight frequently surpassed the physical tiredness that Mukerji experienced throughout filming.
How does the reality of Mardaani subject matter impact Rani Mukerji emotionally?
The fact that these stories are based on real events, she says, makes filming them all the more challenging. The actor added, "Emotionally, the trauma that the girls suffer in the film is also what we suffer indirectly, as we know that they are inspired by true events. To think of the missing girls and what their families go through is traumatising. I had to detach myself from these emotions because if I get too emotional, I may not be able to portray the part well. When I pick up subjects like Mardaani, I’m trying to shake people up and tell them, ‘Look, this is happening around us."
The 12 years of the Mardaani franchise have featured a steady stream of filmmakers, each of whom has added their own unique style to the bleak criminal thriller. The late Pradeep Sarkar was the director of the first film, then Gopi Puthran, and now Abhiraj Minawala. In spite of these alterations, Mukerji still thinks Aditya Chopra's production is well-coordinated.
Who are the key contributors behind the success of the Mardaani series?
"Dada [Sarkar] is the founder of the franchise. Gopi [Puthran] was the writer of Mardaani, so [directing] the second part was a smooth transition. Abhiraj, being a young father, brings his own emotions to it. But the backbone of the franchise is Adi [Aditya Chopra, producer]. He champions women’s causes. Adi and I are integral to the franchise," she says.
Entering her fourth decade in the business, Mukerji continues to focus on parts that test her acting chops while also making viewers question their assumptions about important social issues.
Mardaani 3 FAQs:
Q: When is Mardaani 3 releasing in theatres?
A: Mardaani 3 is scheduled to release in cinemas on January 30, 2026.
Q: Who is the director of Mardaani 3?
A: Mardaani 3 is directed by Abhiraj Minawala, who has assisted on major YRF projects like Tiger 3 and Sultan. He takes over the franchise from previous directors Pradeep Sarkar and Gopi Puthran.
Q: Who is the villain in Mardaani 3?
A: For the first time in the Mardaani franchise, Shivani Roy faces a female antagonist. The villain is a ruthless queenpin known as Amma, played by Mallika Prasad, who runs the massive trafficking and beggar racket Shivani is trying to dismantle.