Mardaani 3 Movie Review: Rani Mukerji leads a hard hitting tale of crime and consequence

Mardaani 3

• Mardaani 3 tackles child trafficking with Rani Mukerji as a fierce cop
• Film starts with a kidnapping that escalates into a national crisis
• Second half is predictable but Rani Mukerji's performance stands out

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'Mardaani 3' is a gritty crime drama that moves at a brisk pace and rarely lets your attention slip. The film once again steps into the dark world of crime, this time focusing on child trafficking and the exploitation of children from begging communities.

A fast, gritty return to familiar ground

Rani Mukerji leads the film with conviction and energy, making this third chapter feel largely in sync with the earlier films. Strong production design adds to the realism and keeps the world of the film rooted and believable. At its core, the film brings back the fearless and uncompromising cop that audiences associate with the franchise.

A kidnapping that turns into a national crisis

The story begins with the kidnapping of the daughter of Indian ambassador to Turkey along with the caretaker’s daughter from a farmhouse in Bulandshahar. What appears to be a mistake soon turns into a national level crisis. Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukerji) is brought in by senior officials to handle the case and recover the girls. To draw out the kidnappers, she makes the ambassador announce a reward of Rs 2 crore for any tip off. This calculated move leads her to Amma (Mallika Prasad), the woman running the trafficking operation.

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Two halves, one expanding crime trail

The narrative unfolds in two clear phases. The first half follows Shivani’s pursuit of the kidnappers who are holding Ruhani and Jhilmil. The second half widens the scope as she uncovers a network spread across multiple regions and attempts to dismantle it completely. The film moves quickly with constant developments and side tracks. Director Abhiraj Minawala keeps the storytelling tight and avoids unnecessary distractions. However, the second half becomes predictable and follows a familiar path.

Performances that drive and divide

Rani Mukerji once again commands the screen as the fierce and determined cop. Her raw approach suits the tone of the film, though a few scenes lean into familiar Bollywood cop beats. Mallika Prasad looks intimidating as Amma but her performance occasionally feels overstated. Prajesh Kashyap as Ramanujan keeps his performance restrained, but it never fully rises to its potential. The scene where he breaks down in front of Rani Mukerji’s character over Ruhani’s death feels flat and lacks emotional impact.

Effective overall, sharper in parts

'Mardaani 3' does stumble at times, especially in the latter half when it deals with sensitive themes in a less nuanced way. The climax is average at beat. Even so, it remains a fairly engaging watch. The film rests firmly on Rani Mukerji’s shoulders, and she delivers yet again. One only wishes the second half matched the sharpness and intensity of the first.

Rating: 3.5/5