Mardaani 3 arrives at a moment when Hindi cinema is leaning heavily into crime dramas and issue‑based thrillers, but still has very few women‑led cop franchises. The first Mardaani (2014) looked at trafficking of minors, while Mardaani 2 (2019) examined the psychology of a young serial sexual offender.
This new chapter takes the franchise deeper into the world of organised exploitation. The central question is not just whether Shivani can save the missing girls, but how institutions respond when vulnerable children disappear from public view. In this Bappam Tv explainer, the focus stays on confirmed facts – release plans, censorship details, story outline and OTT strategy – rather than speculation.
Mardaani 3 is dark, deadly and brutal. The story and performance were emotionally and physically exhausting. We internalised some of the trauma depicted on screen because the incidents draw from real cases.
Rani Mukerji
Summary
Mardaani 3 is the third film in Yash Raj Films' acclaimed crime‑thriller franchise, with Rani Mukerji returning as DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy to tackle a new case of large‑scale girl trafficking. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and written by Aayush Gupta, the film has been preponed to a theatrical release on 30 January 2026, a month earlier than its original Holi‑week date of 27 February.
The trailer and recent interviews confirm that Shivani goes up against a ruthless female crime boss called Amma, played by Mallika Prasad, as she tries to rescue 93 missing girls linked to a beggar‑mafia style network. The film carries a U/A 16+ certificate with significant CBFC‑mandated and voluntary cuts, and is set to stream on Netflix from 27 March 2026 after roughly eight weeks in cinemas, as per trade reports and a Times of India OTT announcement.
Table of Contents
Mardaani 3 Release Date, Runtime and Certification
As of 26 January 2026, the release situation is clear and updated:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| India Theatrical Release | 30 January 2026 |
| Original Date | 27 February 2026 (Holi week) - Preponed |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| OTT Release Date | 27 March 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Crime Thriller |
| CBFC Certificate | U/A 16+ |
| Initial Runtime | 137 minutes 7 seconds |
| Final Runtime (After Cuts) | 130 minutes 37 seconds (~2 hours 10 minutes) |
| Total Cuts | 6 minutes 30 seconds (14 scenes trimmed) |
Date Update!
A New Indian Express/Cinema Express report and a formal YRF announcement on 10 January 2026 first confirmed the shift to 30 January, backed up by subsequent coverage in mainstream outlets.
The U/A 16+ label signals that the film is considered suitable for older teenagers and adults, but not for younger children, due to its intense and sensitive subject matter.
Storyline and Themes: Shivani vs Amma
Core Plot
Available official synopses describe Mardaani 3 as picking up after the events of Mardaani 2. DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy now faces a new nightmare: 93 girls vanish in just three months under mysterious circumstances.
Different reports highlight complementary details:
- The operation appears to run behind the façade of street begging and child labour, with children treated as disposable assets rather than human beings.
- At the centre of this network stands Amma, a mafia queen who has turned exploitation into a business model, played by Mallika Prasad.
The film therefore keeps the franchise's focus on real‑world crimes against girls, while shifting from a male predator (in part two) to a female kingpin whose brutality challenges stereotypes about who can be an oppressor.
Tone and Sensitivity
Related Posts
Content Warning!
The film draws from real cases of missing children and trafficking. Rani Mukerji has said the cast internalised some of the trauma depicted on screen, making the shoot emotionally "traumatizing."
That context, plus the CBFC's insistence on added disclaimers and informational text about women and child trafficking, explains why the final cut tries to highlight the issue rather than sensationalise it.
Cast, Director and Key Credits
| Role | Actor | Character/Position |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Rani Mukerji | DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy, IPS |
| Antagonist | Mallika Prasad | Amma - Mafia Queen |
| Supporting | Janki Bodiwala | Pivotal role linked to victims |
| Supporting | Jisshu Sengupta | Dr Bikram Roy (Shivani's husband) |
| Department | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Abhiraj Minawala (Feature Debut) |
| Writer (Story & Screenplay) | Aayush Gupta |
| Story Development | Deepak Kingrani, Baljeet Singh Marwah |
| Producer | Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films) |
| Cinematography | Artur Żurawski |
| Editing | Yasha Ramchandani |
| Background Score | John Stewart Eduri |
From Holi Release to 30 January: The Date Shift Explained
Some search results still mention 27 February 2026, which can confuse readers. The timeline helps clear this:
- 21 April 2025: YRF announces Mardaani 3 for 27 February 2026, aiming for the Holi corridor.
- 10 January 2026: YRF reveals a new poster and confirms the film is preponed to 30 January 2026, citing readiness and strong confidence.
- Mid-January 2026: Trailer and interviews consistently carry the 30 January date, aligning all new marketing with the advanced release.
CBFC Cuts and U/A 16+ Rating: What Changed
The CBFC's detailed directions for Mardaani 3 give an insight into how closely the board has scrutinised the portrayal of violence, language and references:
After receiving the U/A 16+ certificate on 14 January 2026, the makers voluntarily returned to the CBFC to shorten or trim 14 scenes, cutting a total of 6 minutes 30 seconds and bringing the runtime down to around 130 minutes.
CBFC Report
Key CBFC modifications include:
- The word "bachhi" (little girl) in a sexual‑violence context replaced with "ladki", with age verification required for the actor.
- A shot showing a girl being slapped was modified.
- Certain derogatory phrases directed at a mother figure were muted.
- English subtitles replaced explicit slurs with neutral words like "trader."
- References seen as negative towards the Government of India or specific countries were altered or removed.
- Informational text about women and child trafficking was added along with standard drug‑use disclaimers.
Songs and Marketing: 'Babbar Sherni' as a Women's Anthem
The first major song from Mardaani 3, "Babbar Sherni", dropped on 20 January 2026 across music platforms and YouTube, positioned as an anthem of female strength.
| Credit | Name |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Babbar Sherni |
| Composer & Producer | Sarthak Kalyani |
| Lyricist | Shruti Shukla |
| Rap Verse | Dee MC |
| Release Date | 20 January 2026 |
Babbar Sherni is the sonic embodiment of the film's soul, extending Shivani's quiet rage and determination beyond the narrative into a standalone motivational track.
Rani Mukerji on the song
Mardaani 3 OTT Release: Platform, Date and Strategy
From an industry and audience point of view, we now have a fairly settled picture of the digital plan. Trade coverage and a dedicated Times of India piece state the OTT premiere details:
| Window | Platform | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Theatrical Exclusive | Cinemas | 30 January 2026 - Late March 2026 |
| OTT Streaming | Netflix | 27 March 2026 |
| Theatrical Window | - | 56 days (8 weeks) |
The window aligns with what we have seen for recent big‑ticket Hindi films: around eight weeks for box‑office play, then a quick shift to global streaming to capitalise on word‑of‑mouth. For YRF, keeping the entire Mardaani franchise under one streaming roof also strengthens brand recall and makes it easier for new viewers to binge all three films.
Pan‑India Impact and Industry Significance
We can place Mardaani 3 in the larger 2026 Hindi‑film landscape. Several factors stand out:
- Female‑led cop franchise: Mardaani is India's biggest and only sustained solo female‑cop franchise, a rarity in an industry dominated by male action leads.
- Socially rooted thriller: Each part has tackled a real social concern – trafficking, sexual violence and now organised exploitation – giving the films long‑term relevance.
- Mixed exhibition model: Wide theatrical rollout followed by Netflix release positions it both as a multiplex event film and premium OTT content.
- Career milestone: The film coincides with Rani completing 30 years in Hindi cinema, a milestone she has connected emotionally to playing Shivani again.
What Mardaani 3 Means for You as a Viewer
If you are planning to watch Mardaani 3, here are practical points to consider:
- The U/A 16+ rating means you should avoid taking younger children, even though it is not an Adults‑Only certificate.
- If you prefer watching at home, you can wait for the Netflix release on 27 March 2026, but be aware that discussions will begin once theatrical shows open.
- Fans of the earlier films will see continuity in Shivani's personality – restrained, no‑nonsense, more about method than swagger.
- This time she faces a female villain who mirrors her intensity from the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the final release date of Mardaani 3 in India?
Mardaani 3 will release in cinemas across India on 30 January 2026. The film was earlier slated for 27 February 2026 but was preponed by the makers in early January.
Who is directing Mardaani 3?
The film is directed by Abhiraj Minawala, an ex‑assistant director on several YRF projects, making his feature debut as a director with this franchise entry.
What is the main story of Mardaani 3?
DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy investigates the case of missing girls, eventually uncovering a network that has led to 93 disappearances in three months, linked to a beggar‑mafia styled trafficking racket headed by a woman called Amma.
Who plays the villain Amma in Mardaani 3?
Actress Mallika Prasad plays Amma, a ruthless mafia queen and the franchise's first female primary antagonist.
What is the CBFC rating and runtime?
Mardaani 3 holds a U/A 16+ certificate. After CBFC‑mandated and voluntary cuts totalling 6 minutes 30 seconds, the film's runtime stands at about 130 minutes 37 seconds.
When and where will Mardaani 3 release on OTT?
According to Times of India and Economic Times reports, the film's digital rights are with Netflix, and streaming is scheduled to start on 27 March 2026, after a 56‑day theatrical window.
Is Mardaani 3 based on true events?
The film is inspired by real incidents of trafficking and missing girls, rather than recreating a single documented case. Rani Mukerji has said the team drew on real stories, which made the shoot emotionally "traumatizing" for the cast.
Conclusion: What to Expect Next
Looking at the latest information and how YRF has positioned the film, Mardaani 3 is more than just another sequel. It doubles as a statement that a female‑led cop thriller can headline a national release slot, command a prime Netflix window, and still talk bluntly about trafficking and institutional apathy.
The real test will come once the first audience reactions, critic reviews and box‑office numbers start coming in after 30 January 2026.
