Mardaani 3 Box Office: Rani Mukerji’s Film Opens Slow, Misses Breaking Record but Acting Shines

Rani Mukerji has returned to the big screen after a long hiatus with Mardaani 3, earning widespread praise for her performance. From the story to the cast, the film has captured the hearts of audiences. However, at the box office, the film received limited shows and posted a modest opening.

In Mardaani 3, Rani reprises her role as the fearless and determined police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy. Despite the film being in a serious crime genre with fewer screenings, it managed a decent start in India, earning approximately ₹3.80 crore net on day one — matching the opening of Mardaani 2, released in 2019.

While the film’s opening is somewhat slow, the numbers reflect a positive response considering its genre and limited shows. This solid start is encouraging for a film that focuses on crime drama rather than big commercial spectacle.

Currently running across 2,299 shows in various regions, Mardaani 3 recorded an average occupancy of 13.6% on its opening day. According to reports, the film could not surpass Rani’s previous franchise record, as Mardaani 2 also earned ₹3.80 crore on its first day.

Occupancy Trends Show Growth Through the Day
The Hindi market recorded a total occupancy of 18.01% on Friday, 30 January 2026. Notably, occupancy improved steadily throughout the day: morning shows at 8.97%, afternoon at 14.78%, evening at 17.13%, and night shows reaching 31.14%.

Praise for Rani Mukerji and Villain Ammaa
Rani Mukerji once again portrays the strong and courageous officer Shivani Shivaji Roy, a character beloved across the Mardaani franchise. Audiences were eagerly awaiting her return, and her performance has already received high acclaim. The film, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, also stars Janaki Bodivala and Mallika Prasad. Mallika’s portrayal of the antagonist Ammaa has drawn particular praise from fans for her compelling performance.

Plot Overview of Mardaani 3
Written by Ayush Gupta and directed by Abhiraj Minawala under the Yashraj Films banner, produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 follows Shivani as she investigates the disappearance of 93 young girls over the past three months. The storyline blends suspense, strong character arcs, and social relevance, keeping audiences engaged while highlighting Rani Mukerji’s commanding presence as a police officer.