Legendary actress Rekha joined a star-studded gathering on Saturday night to celebrate the successful theatrical run of Rani Mukerji’s latest cop-thriller, Mardaani 3. The special screening, hosted by Rani Mukerji, saw a mix of industry veterans and young talent coming together to cheer for the third installment of the beloved franchise.
A Starry Reunion
The evening was marked by emotional reunions and high praise for the film:
- The Antagonist Reunion: Vishal Jethwa, who delivered a chilling performance as the villain in Mardaani 2, shared pictures from the event, including a warm embrace with Rani. He captioned his post, “Rani ma’am once again proves why she is the Queen of Bollywood.”
- The Guest List: The screening was attended by Huma Qureshi, Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, Saqib Saleem, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Keerthy Suresh.
- The “Selfie” of the Night: Huma Qureshi captured a viral group selfie featuring the legendary Rekha alongside the Mardaani 3 team and guests, showcasing the industry’s solidarity for the female-led franchise.
Box Office & Controversy
As Mardaani 3 enters its second week, it has already crossed the ₹30 crore mark at the Indian box office.
- The Plot: The film follows SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukerji) as she dismantles a “beggar-mafia” and child trafficking ring run by a ruthless female antagonist named Amma (played by Mallika Prasad).
- The Marketing Row: The film recently faced heat from the Delhi Police over a promotional campaign that allegedly misrepresented missing persons data to create “panic.” Yash Raj Films (YRF) issued a stern denial, stating they follow “strict ethical and transparent practices.”
Rani Mukerji on ‘Mardaani 3’
In a heartfelt press statement, Rani emphasized that the film is a call to action. “Discomfort is where change begins,” she said. “Our girls do not need our sympathy. They need our protection… Change begins in our homes, in our schools, in our streets.”