Directed - Abhiraj Minawala
Written - Aayush Gupta, Deepak Kingrani, Baljeet Singh Marwah
Cast- Rani Mukerji, Mallika Prasad, Janki Bodiwala, Mikhail Yawalkar, Prajesh Kashyap
 
Mardaani 3 brings Rani Mukerji back as Shivani Shivaji Roy, this time on a mission to rescue two missing girls while uncovering a hidden agenda behind the antagonist Amma. Director Abhiraj Minawala delivers a taut, fast-paced thriller, keeping the narrative moving steadily over its slightly over two-hour runtime. The story’s backbone is strong, but certain sequences feel predictable and lack the narrative sharpness one expects from a third installment in a franchise.
 
Rani Mukerji remains the film’s anchor, commanding the screen with steely resolve and emotional depth. She convincingly portrays Shivani’s determination, reminding viewers why the character has become iconic in Hindi cinema. However, some scenes, particularly in the post-interval portions, feel overly obvious, reflecting minor lapses in writing rather than her performance.
 
Mallika Prasad as Amma provides a credible and intimidating antagonist, contributing effectively to the tension. Prajesh Kashyap, playing Ramanujan, adds subtlety and nuance to his role, while Janki Bodiwala as Fatima delivers a confident performance that adds freshness to the cast. The chemistry between Shivani and Fatima stands out as one of the film’s positive highlights.
 
The screenplay and writing, while generally coherent, have weaknesses in parts. The motives of antagonists could have been explained more clearly, and certain plot developments, including the Colombo track in the climax, could have benefited from tighter execution. Predictability creeps in at key moments, which slightly diminishes the impact of the tension the film builds.
 
Technically, Mardaani 3 performs reasonably well. The action sequences are choreographed competently, and John Stewart Eduri’s background score enhances the thriller’s urgency. Cinematography and pacing support the story, although the narrative occasionally relies on familiar tropes of the franchise rather than fresh storytelling.
 
The film’s emotional beats land effectively, particularly in moments showing Shivani’s resilience and the consequences for Amma’s character. Mardaani 3 attempts to balance girl-power themes with grit and suspense, though the attempt sometimes falters under the weight of predictability and minor writing flaws. Fans of the franchise will find familiar elements comforting, but new viewers may notice the unevenness more prominently.
 
Mardaani 3 offers gripping performances, especially from Rani Mukerji, and maintains the franchise’s essence. However, inconsistent writing, predictable twists, and underdeveloped subplots prevent it from achieving the impact of its predecessors. The film is watchable for those invested in the franchise but falls short of being a fully compelling thriller.