Mardaani 3 review: Rani Mukerji shines in a thrilling, hard-hitting quest to give voice to the vulnerable!!

SSP Shivani Roy battles a ruthless trafficking empire in this fierce, unflinching stand for the vulnerable girls society and the system forgets!

As Rani Mukerji celebrates a remarkable 30 years in the film industry, it is fitting that she marks the milestone with a film that utilizes her artistic range while offering the audience a powerful, and thrilling look at real-world issues through the lens of the Mardaani - a franchise that stands apart from over-the-top super-cop Bollywood films for its ability to embrace uncomfortable realism without compromising on its commercial values - a cinematic blend that is thrilling and thought-provoking without trying to push sermons down your throat. After dismantling a Delhi-based child trafficking racket and bringing psychopathic rapists to justice in the previous installments, Mukerji once again steps into the shoes of the uncompromising and fearless SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy to rescue young girls vanishing without a trace.

Helmed by Abhiraj Minawala, Mardaani 3 follows Roy in a desperate race against time to save scores of girls trapped in a child trafficking network headed by the chilling antagonist Amma (Mallika Prasad). As a high-profile kidnapping case uncovers a deeper and darker beggar mafia preying on pre-pubescent girls from society's most vulnerable corners, Roy takes on the ruthless trafficking mafia while dealing with systemic indifference and brutal violence that puts her resilience to the test. The film opens with Roy executing a dangerous undercover rescue operation in the Sunderbans, single-handedly wreaking havoc on a hideout where women and girls are held for sale to trafficking rackets. A sequence that sets the tone for raw heroism (albeit slightly exaggerated) and the tactical brilliance of the protagonist that drives the rest of the narrative.

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The film religiously follows Bollywood’s super-cop thriller template - strong-headed officer who follows their instincts more than the system’s protocols, who is constantly at loggerheads with seniors until a ‘canon event’ turns the investigation into a deeply personal pursuit of justice. However, what separates Mardaani 3 from the rest is that it delivers a thrilling and empowering fight for truth, without offering a dull or preachy moment in its 2 hour 9 minute runtime. Aayush Gupta’s writing keeps the screenplay grounded in realism within the realms of a commercial venture. Although the film explores the heinous atrocities women, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, are subjected to, the visuals remain suitable for all age groups while still sending chills down your spine - an important achievement that ensures the message hits hard without crossing into gratuitous territory. A careful balance that allows Mardaani 3 to deliver its social commentary effectively, making it accessible yet deeply unsettling. 

Formidable villains forge the greatest heroes and that’s what makes SSP Roy’s fight this time so much more intense. Amma, the merciless kingpin of a child trafficking syndicate wasn’t born wicked, she was the victim of a heinous crime who was later wronged by the system, moulding her into a merciless monster who doesn’t fear consequences, making her an all the more dangerous entity. She pushes Roy to her absolute limits, revealing layers of courage and resolve a weaker foe wouldn’t have been able to and there lies the film’s biggest win. Yes, the fact that the officer’s instincts rarely go wrong, and the way she predicts the exact sequences of a crime or takes down a gang of deadly criminals single-handedly are hard to stomach at times, the cat and mouse chase between the two strong-headed women on different sides of the spectrum makes the film a gritty ride. 

The film offers a thought-provoking social commentary and asks hard-hitting questions about a system where only the privileged have a voice and visibility while the vulnerable are trampled underfoot and left voiceless. Through Roy’s pursuit, we see how high-profile cases trigger swift action yet countless girls from disadvantaged backgrounds disappear into the child trafficking/beggar mafia’s grip with little systemic response. It is a plot that mirrors our deep-rooted class biases, institutional apathy and the grim reality that even justice is unaffordable for the poor, making the film’s message as urgent and uncomfortable as it is necessary!

Performance wise, Rani Mukerji essays the fearless, razor-sharp, no-non-sense yet deeply empathic Shivani Shivaji Roy with the effortlessness of a feather in the air. The actress executes the action set-pieces with ease and finesse, and carries the authority and mannerisms of a seasoned cop with conviction, proving she lives and breathes the beloved character. Mallika Prasad as the fearsome Amma and Janki Bodiwala as the underdog cop Fatima, too pack a punch in their roles, essaying the shades demanded of their characters with sincerity. 

Overall, Mardaani 3 is a gripping, hard-hitting addition to the franchise that, despite lacking the grounded realism of its predecessor, comes across as a thrilling ride of heroism, emotional depth and a strong social commentary. 

Mardaani 3 is now playing in theatres near you!