MUMBAI— Actor Rani Mukerji, currently back on the big screen in the third installment of the Mardaani franchise, has opened up about the pivotal role her husband, filmmaker Aditya Chopra, played in her return to acting. In an exclusive interview with Times Now, Mukerji shared that while she was fully immersed in motherhood following the birth of their daughter, Adira, it was Aditya who pushed her to restart her career.
“It was my husband reminding me that you just can’t be a mum, you are who you are,” Rani said. “I’m so grateful there was a reality check. I was also touched that he knows who he’s married to.”
1. Balancing the Badge and the Bib
Rani emphasized that while her time with Adira is “sacrosanct,” the support of a partner who understands professional ambition makes the journey “complete.”
- Partner Support: Aditya reportedly speaks to Adira about the importance of her mother going to work, helping normalize the balance for their daughter.
- A Shared Journey: Rani expressed her wish for every woman to have a partner who doesn’t just “permit” work but actively encourages the preservation of their individual identity.
2. “Mardaani 3”: The Weekend Report
The film, which released on Friday, January 30, 2026, sees Rani reprise her iconic role as Shivani Shivaji Roy.
- The Plot: Roy investigates the chilling case of 93 missing girls, uncovering a vast child-exploitation network run by a ruthless antagonist known as Amma (played by Mallika Prasad).
- Box Office Performance: Despite stiff competition from the Sunny Deol-starrer Border 2, Mardaani 3 has shown a steady start, earning approximately ₹10 crore in its first two days.
- The Verdict: Critics have praised Rani’s “powerhouse” performance and the film’s “brutal, socially relevant” tone, though some noted that the second half feels “predictable” compared to the high-stakes tension of the first two films.
Cast & Credits: Mardaani 3 (2026)
| Role | Actor | Character Note |
| Shivani Shivaji Roy | Rani Mukerji | The fearless Superintendent of Police. |
| Amma | Mallika Prasad | The cold-blooded “beggar mafia” queen. |
| Ramanujan | Prajesh Kashyap | A former victim fighting the syndicate. |
| Pivotal Role | Janki Bodiwala | A key witness/victim in the trafficking case. |
| Director | Abhiraj Minwala | Taking the helm for the first time in the series. |
3. The Legacy of the “Mardaani” Franchise
With Mardaani 3, Rani celebrates nearly 30 years in the film industry. The franchise remains unique in Bollywood as the only successful female-led action series that consistently tackles grim, real-world crimes without the typical “masala” glamorization of the police force.