Review: Mardaani 3: Doesn't Reach Its Full Potential

 

Movie: Mardaani 3
Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Rani Mukerji, Mallika Prasad, Prajesh Kashyap,Janki Bodiwala, Jisshu Sengupta and others

Director: Abhiraj Minawala

Produced By: Yash Raj Films

Release Date: 30-01-2026

Story:

In Mardaani 3, Shivani Roy returns to take on a large, organised child-trafficking network. She faces a ruthless criminal gang while fighting to rescue innocent children caught in a brutal system.

Performances:

Rani Mukerji once again commands the screen and delivers the required emotional depth. While her performance is committed and sincere, the writing fails to add freshness or greater intensity to her character. Mallika Prasad and Prajesh Kashyap play important roles but do not leave a strong impact. Janki Bodiwala and Jisshu Sengupta fit well into their parts and perform adequately.

What Works:

Director Abhiraj Minawala and writer Aayush Gupta attempt to craft a gripping crime-action drama. The opening sequences are engaging, and a few emotional scenes involving a missing child work effectively. The interval block, where Shivani issues a fierce warning to the villains, stands out as a high point. Some thought-provoking dialogues and moments scattered through the film also leave an impression.

What Doesn’t:

Unlike the previous films in the franchise, where the antagonists had strong and intimidating arcs, the villains in Mardaani 3 feel ordinary despite an intriguing build-up. The expected intense face-off between Shivani and the villains loses its impact as the film progresses.

The screenplay lacks novelty, with several twists becoming predictable well in advance. The true intentions of a key character are easy to guess, and the subplot involving a woman police constable fails to surprise.

Mardaani 3 Review and Verdict:

Mardaani 3 tackles the socially relevant issue of child trafficking and the begging mafia. It features a few well-executed scenes and a dedicated performance by Rani Mukerji. However, predictable storytelling and weakly written antagonists stop the film from reaching its full potential.