Mumbai, India | January 10, 2026
Yash Raj Films (YRF) has officially announced a major update to its popular cop franchise Mardaani. The studio confirmed that “Mardaani 3,” starring Rani Mukerji, has been preponed and will now release in theaters on January 30, 2026, instead of its earlier planned date of February 27, 2026.
According to industry observers, the decision is a strategic move aimed at leveraging the long Republic Day weekend on January 26 while avoiding box office competition from multiple big releases scheduled in February.
Rani Mukerji Returns as Shivani Shivaji Roy
In Mardaani 3, Rani Mukerji reprises her role as the fearless police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy, continuing one of Bollywood’s most successful female-led action franchises. The character has been widely praised for portraying a strong, grounded, and realistic law enforcement officer.
First Look Poster Goes Viral
Along with the release date announcement, YRF unveiled the film’s first-look poster, showcasing Rani Mukerji in a noticeably more intense and mature avatar. The poster features the tagline “The Darkest Chapter Yet,” signaling a grittier and more disturbing storyline. The visual quickly gained traction across social media platforms.
Plot Update: Cybercrime and Global Syndicates
As per the official film description, Mardaani 3 will revolve around a highly sensitive international crime syndicate. Reports suggest that Shivani Shivaji Roy will tackle crimes linked to cybercrime and the dark web, expanding the scale of the franchise beyond previous installments.
The identity of the main antagonist has not yet been revealed. However, YRF has indicated that the villain will be more brutal and cunning than the antagonist seen in Mardaani 2.
Box Office Expectations
The Mardaani franchise has delivered consistent box office success. Mardaani 2 (2019) earned over ₹67 crore domestically. Trade experts believe the January 30, 2026 release offers Mardaani 3 a strong solo theatrical window, particularly due to the lack of other major female-led films at the time.
