New Releases: Can ‘Mardaani 3’ Take on ‘Border 2’? Three Hindi Films Hit Theatres This Friday

This Friday, 30 January 2026, audiences will get three new Hindi films in theatres, with Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 generating the most buzz. Advanced bookings have already raked in crores, but the question remains—can it pose a challenge to Sunny Deol’s blockbuster Border 2? Let’s take a look at the other two releases, including one that has already scored an impressive 8.9 rating on IMDb before its release.

‘Border 2’ Still Dominating
Sunny Deol’s Border 2, released on 23 January across 4,800 screens with 17,000 shows, has collected a massive ₹213 crore net in just six days. The ongoing Republic Day holiday and extended weekend saw a spike in footfall, but collections have started to slow. On Wednesday, its sixth-day collection was ₹13 crore, down from ₹20 crore on Tuesday. With such momentum, the three new releases face an uphill task.

Mardaani 3
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, Mardaani 3 is the sequel to 2019’s Mardaani 2. Rani Mukerji reprises her role as DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy, tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of 93 young women over just three months. Co-stars include Janaki Bodivala and Mallika Prasad.

Despite the dominance of Border 2, Mardaani 3’s advanced booking shows promise. As of Thursday morning, 3,176 shows were booked, with 8,498 tickets sold, generating ₹26.92 lakh in gross advance sales. Including blocked seats, the total pre-release collection stands at ₹1.04 crore. While these numbers may not dent Border 2’s box office yet, Rani Mukerji’s franchise has a loyal fan base, and positive word-of-mouth could boost earnings over the weekend.

Mayasabha: The Hall of Illusion
Director Rahi Anil Barve, known for his cult hit Tumbad (2018), returns after six years with Mayasabha: The Hall of Illusion. Like Tumbad, this psychological thriller explores human greed, deception, and distrust. The film premiered at the Annabhau Sathe Film Festival in Pune and has already received an 8.9 rating on IMDb before its theatrical release. The story revolves around a dilapidated cinema hall and a mysterious man hiding 40 kg of 24-carat gold biscuits—whose whereabouts remain unknown. Javed Jaffrey leads the cast, supported by Veena Jamkar, Deepak Damle, and Mohammad Samad. The film relies heavily on word-of-mouth to make its mark at the box office.

Human Cocaine
Directed by Shriram Momin, Human Cocaine is a crime thriller delving into the brutal world of drug cartels. The trailer reveals a suspenseful narrative beginning with a couple tasked to deliver a parcel, only to get entangled in the dangerous drug underworld. The story follows Arjun, a cab driver, who takes on a delivery job in a remote location, only to find his life at risk. The film features Pushkar Jog, Zakir Hussain, and Siddhant Kapoor in key roles.

OTT Releases
In addition to theatrical releases, audiences will also get new content on OTT platforms this Friday. Netflix is expected to release Ranveer Singh’s mega-blockbuster Dhurandhar, while Bhumi Pednekar’s new web series Daldal will stream on Amazon Prime Video. The 2025 Malayalam blockbuster Sarvam Maya will also be available in Hindi on JioCinema.

With these multiple releases across theatres and OTT, Friday promises an entertaining mix for viewers, ranging from action-packed thrillers to psychological mysteries.