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'Mardaani 3' star Rani Mukerji: Narratives need not vilify men always
Back as the supercop Shivani Shivaji Roy in the latest instalment of her film franchise, the Bollywood actress is against a new nemesis
- PUBLISHED: Tue 20 Jan 2026, 1:12 PM
- By:
- Manju Ramanan
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She is back with another empowering narrative Mardaani 3, that releases on January 30, where she plays a hard-nosed cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy, who swoops down on criminals to deliver justice. And while she bashes the offenders onscreen, she gives audiences ample cathartic moments as we vent our simulated outrage on violence against women. This time though, her character takes on another woman—the beggar mafia queen Amma, played by Janki Bodiwala.
“Evil doesn’t have a gender. A look at our ancient texts will reveal that there were rakshasas (demons) and rakshasis (demonesses) in the world. We cannot discriminate against inhuman people by gender. Greed is common to a man and a woman. The good versus evil fight is the story of the film,” she says.
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The film produced by YashRaj Films, comes at a time when Rani Mukerji completes 30 years in the Hindi film industry and has recently won the Best Actress award at the 71st Indian National Film Awards (2025) for her role in the film Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. Mukerji has since continued to address real issues through her roles.
The first edition of Mardaani of 2014 was a response to the collective angst following the disturbing Nirbhaya case in Delhi. It was directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar. It was then followed by the second one in 2019, directed by Gopi Puthran. The third edition is directed by Abhiraj Minawala.
How has her character grown over the three franchises? “The same way, growth happens in a woman’s life. From 2014 to now, I have graduated from being wife to mother and have transformed emotionally, mentally and psychologically. The same change is reflected in my character. Shivani’s designation has changed and she has risen in stature and power over the years. Her aim, though, has only sharpened with each edition.”
Living with a character for over 12 years, what would be her conversation with the cop if she was sitting next to her in real time? “I am her. I have had conversations with Shivani Shivaji Roy daily. I really hope we can nab criminals and bring them to justice the way she does in the film.”
Since the film is based on real life incidents and research, as an artiste, is she disturbed by the data she refers to—on child abduction, rapes and murder? “It is very disturbing and the film has been created out of that outrage. In fact it was birthed out of that anger. We need to create uncomfortable conversations even if we are uncomfortable reading real incidents of atrocities against women. From 2014 to now, nothing much has changed and we need to engage in these conversations time and again to incite change and fear in the minds of the offenders.”
Is the film based on cops such as IPS Meeran Chadha Borwankar? “ It is a story of several women in uniform. It is their combined narrative that celebrates their infallible and indomitable spirit. When I meet officers, they tell me that they are proud of my role and I in turn tell them, that I am inspired by them.”
Rani feels that roles such as these fuel changes in the system. It is heartening to see that today the Indian police force has 25 per cent of high ranking female police officers compared to 1981.
“Women cops have no gender biases when they operate. But also don't get extra privileges because they are women. They maintain a work-life balance despite their call of duty,” says Rani. Adding, that the role gives her an opportunity to celebrate their lives, strength and values. “They are women of steel. Their families are the wings beneath their wings and they attend to the call of duty 24X7. The writers of the film have shown this all in a subtle way.”
'Audience empowers us'
So, do roles like these add more power and agency to the way Hindi film women roles will be written?” It is the audience that empowers us. The film’s victory with the audiences motivated us actors and production houses to come up with more films like these. If the audience helps us, there is no looking back and we will have more powerful roles telling relevant stories of women.” Rani desists from calling the film a franchise but a film on relevant issues, almost like a movement. “Movies like these have to incite fear and change in the offender and that justice will be served.”
She missed Mardaani’s first director Pradeep Sarkar while shooting in Delhi. “ I just miss dada. I had a long association with him. We shot numerous ads and we did two films together—Mardaani 1 and Laaga Chunari Mai Daag. He was such a loving and affectionate soul and we bonded over our common language Bengali and the love for food.”
Rani has often said that she feels that she is a complete actor after becoming a mom. “ Only after I became a mother, I realised what sacrifice is all about. It was just a word before that. I grew more sensitive to my mother’s sacrifices and when I became mom, I understood better.”