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Mardaani 3 Movie Review (2026): Rani Mukerji’s “Mardaani 3” is the comeback of one of the most impactful crime drama thrillers in Hindi cinema. The third installment again has marked the return of Rani Mukerji as the fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy. The movie, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, explores the dark world of child trafficking and offers a gripping storyline from the very start. Though the movie remains gripping throughout, it does have a slight dip in the second half. Nevertheless, Mardaani 3 is a great crime drama that is socially relevant.
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Mardaani 3 Movie Cast & Crew and Rating
Baapofmovies.com Rating: 3.5/5
- Release Date: January 30, 2026
- Director: Abhiraj Minawala
- Producer: Aditya Chopra
- Story: Aayush Gupta, Deepak Kingrani, Baljeet Singh Marwah
- Stars: Rani Mukerji, Janki Bodiwala, Mallika Prasad, and others
- Screenplay & Dialogues: Aayush Gupta
- DOP: Artur Żurawski PSC
- Editor: Yasha Jaidev Ramchandani
- Runtime: 129 Minutes (2 hr 9 min)
Mardaani 3 Plot Overview: A Kidnapping That Escalates Fast
The movie begins with a terrifying kidnapping at a farmhouse in Bulandshahar. The daughter of the Indian ambassador to Turkey and the daughter of the farmhouse caretaker are kidnapped, and it appears to be a case of a terrible mistake. But soon, the case spirals out of control and becomes a national emergency.
Shivani Shivaji Roy is brought in by the higher authority to handle the case. In order to trap the kidnappers, Shivani cleverly convinces the ambassador to declare a reward of ₹2 crore for any information. This helps Shivani to uncover a much bigger crime syndicate and leads her to Amma (Mallika Prasad), the mastermind behind a massive child trafficking racket that is connected to begging gangs.
Cast Performances in Mardaani 3: Rani Mukerji Carries the Film
Rani Mukerji once again proves why the Mardaani franchise is firmly on her shoulders. She performs with the same intensity and conviction that she has been doing in the series so far. Her performance as Shivani is very authentic and unapologetic, even when some parts of the story seem to follow some typical Bollywood cop movie clichés.
Mallika Prasad looks menacing as Amma and brings a sense of danger to the movie, but her performance sometimes borders on the side of overacting.
Prajesh Kashyap, as Ramanujan, is very understated but doesn’t quite connect emotionally, especially in a pivotal breakdown scene that is somewhat disappointing.
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What Works Well
The strongest aspect of Mardaani 3 is its fast pace and gritty content. The first half of the film is sharp. Overall the movie is very well-written and disturbing in the right places, all thanks to plot writers Aayush Gupta, Deepak Kingrani, and Baljeet Singh Marwah.
The production design is also realistic. Yasha Jaidev Ramchandani’s editing is very sharp, which ultimately helps to keep the film grounded in a world where crime has consequences. The direction by Abhiraj Minawala is tight, and there are no unnecessary distractions.
Where Mardaani 3 Falls Short
The second half suffers slightly in terms of impact as the plot becomes predictable. Although the stakes are raised in terms of geography and plot, the script takes a predictable turn. Sensitive issues are handled, but not always with the subtlety they require. The climax is particularly average and lacks the punch that is required in a movie of this level of intensity.
Technical Aspects
From a technical standpoint, Mardaani 3 is good. The BGM, delivered by John Stewart Eduri, is in sync with the tension without overshadowing the scenes, and the camera work ensures that the dark and earthy tone is maintained. The editing is quick, though the writing could have been more refined in the second half.
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Final Verdict
Mardaani 3 may not be perfect, but, as a package, it is definitely an interesting and significant crime thriller. The film is supported by the strong performance of Rani Mukerji, and it manages to draw the audience into its dark story, even if it falters towards the end. A better second half would have made Mardaani 3 exceptional.
Watch Mardaani 3 Trailer
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