Rani Mukerji Is Back With Mardaani 3: How Good or Bad Is The Crime Thriller? X Review

Rani Mukerji is back on the big screen as fearless police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3.

The crime thriller released in theatres on January 30 and marks Rani's return after Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023), a performance that earned her the National Award for Best Actress.

In the third instalment of the popular franchise, Shivani races against time to trace young girls who go missing without leaving any clues. The film once again focuses on serious issues like crime, justice, and human trafficking.

Story Focuses on Child Trafficking Network

Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, Mardaani 3 centres on a chilling child-trafficking racket linked to a beggar mafia.

In this film, Shivani joins the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the kidnapping of two girls. As she digs deeper, the case unfolds into a nationwide trafficking operation led by a mysterious woman named Amma, played by Mallika Prasad.

What begins as a local crime soon reveals the dark side of organised networks operating in plain sight.

The film also stars Janaki Bodiwala in a key role, along with Mikhail Yawalkar.

Early Reactions Praise Rani's Powerful Performance

Early reviews on X (formerly Twitter) have been largely positive. Many viewers praised Rani Mukerji for her intense and fearless portrayal of Shivani Shivaji Roy. Several users described the film as gripping, raw, and emotionally strong, especially in the second half.

Fans highlighted Rani's screen presence, dialogue delivery, and expressions, saying she carries the film with authority.

While some viewers felt the first half moved slowly, most agreed that the second half was engaging and hard-hitting.

One user noted that fans of Mardaani and Mardaani 2 would likely enjoy the third film as well, as it stays true to the franchise's core theme and tone.

Trade Experts Call Film Intense and Impactful

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh also shared his review, calling the film powerful and engaging. He praised Rani's "ferocious" performance and said the film stays loyal to the spirit of the franchise.

While he pointed out that some parts of the writing could have been sharper, he described the thriller as emotionally effective and tightly mounted.

He also praised Mallika Prasad's performance as the antagonist, calling her character terrifying and impactful.

A Serious Crime Drama With a Familiar Tone

Mardaani 3 continues the franchise's tradition of telling serious crime stories without unnecessary glamour.

With its focus on social issues, strong performances, and intense action, the film is expected to have a moderate start at the box office.

For fans of gritty crime dramas and Rani Mukerji's Shivani Shivaji Roy, Mardaani 3 offers another hard-hitting chapter in the popular series.

X Review:

#OneWordReview...#Mardaani3: POWERFUL.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Intense. Relevant. Captivating... #RaniMukerji returns in top form, delivering a ferocious, no-holds-barred performance... A gripping battle of courage and justice. #Mardaani3Review

Director #AbhirajMinawala mounts a taut,… pic.twitter.com/24qfg2sMAb

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 30, 2026

#Mardaani3Review :- ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Heart Wrenching Flick Highlighting Major social Issue💥💥💥💥#Mardaani3 is a decent watch addressing a major social issue, Mardaani 3 unapologetically highlights the Sad part of our system and society, some scenes will make you numb and angry if you… pic.twitter.com/JIjr0mHIiM

— KBP Reviews (@KshitizCritic) January 30, 2026

#Mardaani3Review DISAPPOINTING

RATING - ⭐️⭐️#Mardaani3 is a weak crime thriller film that doesn’t stand anywhere close to Part 1 or Part 2. The daughter of an Indian ambassador to Turkey is kidnapped, along with another girl who comes from a poor background. Aama, played by… pic.twitter.com/rP27EtvB5A

— Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) January 30, 2026

Short Review of #Mardaani3 : if you have liked Mardaani & Mardaani 2 then you’d love Mardaani3 as well. There is almost no difference between the 3 movies. Same kind of movies, same kind of premise, same kind of screenplay and same kind of climax. No difference, all same to same. pic.twitter.com/preyGYY5cV

— Parth Chaturvedi (@_mrchaturvedi) January 30, 2026

Exclusive Review: #Mardaani3

Mardaani 3 stays fiercely loyal to what the franchise stands for—gritty realism, moral urgency, and an unflinching look at crime and justice. This is not a glossy thriller meant for easy thrills; it’s a hard-hitting, emotionally heavy film that… pic.twitter.com/mt2DpuUMQm

— 🌹बेपरवाह🌹 (@iamraaaaaj) January 30, 2026