Shah Rukh Khan cheers for his ‘Mardaani' Rani Mukerji as 'Mardaani 3' soars at the box office

Shah Rukh Khan backs Mardaani 3

• Mardaani 3 opens to strong audience praise and Rani Mukerji's powerful return
• Shah Rukh Khan praises Rani Mukerji's role in Mardaani 3.
• Rani Mukerji's 30th year in cinema with new female-led cop film

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Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 has arrived in theatres with a wave of goodwill, strong footfalls and heartfelt appreciation from audiences who have followed the franchise for over a decade.

As viewers praise the film’s intensity and its fearless storytelling, much of the conversation has centred on Rani Mukerji’s powerful return as the uncompromising cop Shivani Shivaji Roy — a character that has come to symbolise strength, empathy and quiet resolve.

On the film’s release day, the celebrations became even more special when Shah Rukh Khan publicly cheered for his close friend and longtime co-star.

Taking to X, Shah Rukh Khan shared a deeply personal message that felt less like industry formality and more like genuine admiration. He wrote, “Just from the heart….to my Rani ‘Mardaani’ all my best wishes. I am sure you will be feisty, strong & compassionate in Mardaani 3 like u are in the real world too."

For audiences, the message carried extra warmth because of the bond Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji share — one built over decades of friendship, mutual respect and memorable collaborations.

Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 continues the franchise’s tradition of tackling uncomfortable social realities head-on. Each film in the series has explored a different, unsettling truth — from human trafficking in the first instalment to psychological brutality in the second.

The third chapter once again turns the spotlight on a pressing issue, reinforcing the franchise’s reputation for meaningful, socially driven cinema rather than spectacle alone.

What makes the Mardaani series truly stand apart is its place in Indian cinema. It remains the country’s only successful female-led cop franchise, and one of the most significant female-driven film series overall.

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Through Shivani Shivaji Roy, Rani Mukerji has given audiences a protagonist who is tough yet compassionate, authoritative yet deeply human.

The timing of Mardaani 3 adds another emotional layer. The film’s release coincides with Rani Mukerji completing 30 years in cinema — a milestone that has prompted widespread admiration across the industry.