As Rani Mukerji returns to the big screen as the fearless ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy, her long-time friend and collaborator Shah Rukh Khan took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, January 30, 2026, to share a heartfelt message.
Praising her both as an actor and a person, SRK noted that Rani’s real-world compassion and strength are what make her performance in the Mardaani franchise so authentic.
Mardaani 3: Day 1 Box Office & Performance
Released on January 30, 2026, the third installment has seen a steady start, though it faced stiff competition from the ongoing blockbuster run of Border 2.
| Metric | Day 1 Details (Friday) |
| India Net Collection | ₹3.80 Crore (Early Estimates) |
| Comparison | On par with Mardaani 2 (₹3.80 Cr in 2019). |
| Show Count | 2,299 shows across India. |
| Highest Occupancy | Night shows peaked at 31%, showing strong interest in urban centers. |
| Top Markets | Delhi NCR (526 shows), Mumbai (381 shows). |
The New Antagonist: Meet “Amma”
The franchise is known for its chilling villains, and Mardaani 3 introduces a formidable female adversary.
- The Character: Amma, the ruthless “Queen of the Beggar Mafia,” who orchestrates the abduction of young girls.
- The Actor: Mallika Prasad, a National School of Drama (NSD) alumna and seasoned theatre practitioner.
- The Twist: While Amma is the face of the racket, the film reveals a second antagonist, Ramanujan (played by Prajesh Kashyap), an NGO founder who uses children for unethical medical trials.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised Rani Mukerji for her “ferocious” and “steely” performance, marking her 30th anniversary in Indian cinema with this release. While some reviews noted that the second half feels slightly “routine” or “overwritten,” the film is being hailed as a necessary and sobering reminder of the grim reality of human trafficking.
Note: Both SRK and Rani are riding a “National Award High” in 2026—Shah Rukh recently won Best Actor for Jawan and Rani won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.