The first ‘Mardaani’ came out ten years ago, and now YRF is rolling out the third installment of this action thriller franchise. Excitement rages in fans’ minds for Rani Mukerji, the fiery and determined Shivani Shivaji Roy, preparing to act once more in this role.
A Decade of 'Mardaani'
‘Mardaani’ released on August 22, 2014, and the two films emerged as both commercially and critically acclaimed. Helmed by the late Pradeep Sarkar, the film introduced audiences to Shivani Shivaji Roy, a fearless cop who takes on human trafficking. Its dark tone in portraying crime and the powerful performance of Rani Mukerji connected with the audiences, thus becoming a major hit.
‘Mardaani’ proved so successful that it was followed by a sequel, ‘Mardaani 2’, in 2019. Directed by Gopi Puthran, who had written the first film, this sequel continued down the path of exploring the dark underbelly of crime as Shivani takes on a new adversary. ‘Mardaani 2’ was just as well-received, sealing the place of this franchise in Bollywood.
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'Mardaani 3' Announcement
YRF, on August 22, 2024, posted on Instagram the following, to celebrate the completion of 10 years for ‘Mardaani’ and to share an announcement for the next chapter in the franchise: “10 years of #Mardaani and the next chapter awaits. Celebrating the feisty, daredevil cop #ShivaniShivajiRoy and the spirit of #Mardaani today. Thank you for a decade of love and appreciation for our beloved franchise. We are inspired again thanks to you. #RaniMukerji #10YearsOfMardaani”.
Through a video announcement, YRF declared that Rani Mukerji would reprise her role as Shivani Shivaji Roy. Glimpses of more hard-hitting action and nail-biting drama gave one an inkling that the new installment would live up to the legacy built by its predecessors in the ‘Mardaani’ franchise.
Rani Mukerji's Journey with 'Mardaani'
The role of Shivani Shivaji Roy, enacted by Rani Mukerji, defined her acting career. Might, forthrightness, and uncompromising commitment to justice made her an iconic figure in Indian cinema. Rani’s performance has been lauded for displaying the taming of gender roles and showing that women have more power, grit, and resilience while holding positions of responsibility.
While reflecting upon her journey with the franchise, Rani exclaimed her excitement over ‘Mardaani 3’. “I am really excited to see how the development for ‘Mardaani 3’ takes place. I am keeping my fingers crossed because I really want to slip into Shivani Shivaji Roy’s shoes again.” She mentioned that she would only do this sequel if there was a powerful script. She believes in doing a film only when the story is very strong and there is something meaningful to say.
Recent Projects by Rani Mukerji
Other than the ‘Mardaani’ franchise, Rani Mukerji has gone on to experiment in her films quite extensively. She was last seen in ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’, which did decent business at the box office with almost Rs 37 crore in collections. However, even though the film fared just about average financially, Rani’s acting did receive widespread acclaim and she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.
Currently, Rani is busy with her next project, directed by Shonali Bose. Information about the film is kept secret and thus, one is left wondering and just has to wait patiently for more on this exciting collaboration.
The Impact of 'Mardaani'
The ‘Mardaani’ series has been highly influential in Indian cinema when it comes to the audience’s acceptance of female leads performing action-oriented roles. Indeed, the character of Shivani Shivaji Roy itself challenges patriarchal gender roles and highlights women’s strength and resilience in the police force. Realistic representation of crimes and other social issues is what makes the films really appreciable.
Onboarding ‘Mardaani 3’, YRF looks to tack on even more extreme action and a gripping storyline on-screen. The announcement stirred much excitement as fans wait for the new film to hit theaters.
With YRF celebrating a decade of ‘Mardaani’, ‘Mardaani 3‘ is announced as a new chapter in the franchise. The return of Rani Mukerji, playing Shivani Shivaji Roy, assures more thrills in action and some powerful acting. Slated for release in 2025, this film will mean a new, engrossing episode in this long-running series.
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