When a franchise returns with its third chapter, the pressure is real. In the case of Mardaani 3, that pressure rests on an already iconic character , Shivani Shivaji Roy , played by Rani Mukerji. Director Abhiraj Minawala, who has stepped in to helm the latest installment, says the key was evolution, not repetition.
Speaking about taking charge of the film, he told Moneycontrol in an exclusive conversation: “When I first came on board and read the script, it was very important for me to bring my own voice and vision to it. But at the same time, we had to understand Shivani Shivaji Roy deeply.”
He emphasised that Rani’s long association with the character played a crucial role in shaping the third part.
“She has lived Shivani in part one and part two. She knows the character inside out. So it was important for us to collaboratively take this character further,” he told us.
With Shivani rising in rank from a Crime Branch officer to an IPS and SP officer, the director felt her growth needed to reflect on screen.
“As a character, she is growing in ranks and experience. It was important that the experience of an officer comes through more. We also wanted to bring in more maturity, sensitivity and an emotional touch to Shivani.”
One of the most talked-about moments from the film is Rani’s powerful intro action sequence. Abhiraj revealed that realism was the guiding principle behind its design.
“The most important element for me in action design was to celebrate a woman’s power while keeping it very realistic and real,” he said.
Explaining the process, he added, “We first make a story for the entire sequence and shoot a pre-vis, which is a pre-visualization with stunt performers. Our brief was clear — stay away from body doubles or wires. All the stunts that Rani ma’am could do herself were made real.”
The physically demanding forest fight sequence stood out for the director. “She was barefoot. She was wearing a mask. There were live fire elements. We didn’t use the torch as VFX; we shot it live. Physically, I think that was the most challenging sequence,” he shared, praising Rani for giving “100 percent” on set.
Mardaani 3 also introduces two prominent antagonists, Amma, played by Mallika, and Prajesh. Abhiraj credited writer Ayush Gupta for setting them up effectively. “Ayush had already done more than half the work on paper,” he said.
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The director said didn’t want caricatured villains. “We wanted to show how threatening Amma can be, how eerie she can be, but keep her very real. We had an unsaid meter to stay within, so she doesn’t become caricaturish,” he said.
“Very limited performance. Very limited expression. Controlled aggression. Every move calculated,” he explained, adding that research into real-life personalities helped shape the character’s cold unpredictability.
Calling his collaboration with Rani Mukerji empowering, Abhiraj said, “In her 30 years of career, the experience she brings on set is so empowering. She is ready five minutes before time. The respect she has for her craft, for everyone’s time, for the producer’s budget — it shows her work ethic.”
He concluded by reflecting on senior actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Rani. “They have come from an era when they used to shoot four films in a day. They have seen that world and this world. Their experience is far greater. What they have lived, we can only imagine.”
Mardaani 3 released in theatres in February and it has been going strong at the box office.
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