Mardaani 3: Rani Mukerji-starrer blocks Holi 2026 for release, first look unveiled

Rani Mukerji in Mardaani 3

Yash Raj Films' Mardaani is the biggest solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema that has garnered love and acclaim for over 10 years now! The blockbuster franchise has received unanimous love from people and has attained cult status amongst cinephiles.

Rani Mukerji returns as Shivani Shivaji Roy

Also, the biggest and only female cop franchise of India, Mardaani is now in its third instalment and Mardaani 3 will see Rani Mukerji reprise the role of a daredevil cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy, who selflessly fights for justice.

Today, YRF announced the release date of Mardaani 3 to be Friday, 27 February 2026, marking the auspicious Holi festival as its release window. Holi, which falls on March 4th, symbolises the triumph of good over bad and the makers are pegging this film to be a bloody, violent clash between Shivani's goodness vs sinister evil forces with its choice of release date.

Rani had revealed that the edge of the seat thriller is ‘dark, deadly and brutal' and it immediately piqued curiosity amongst netizens, the fans of the star and the franchise.

Shoot details about Mardaani 3

The team, led by director Abhiraj Minawala, began shooting for Mardaani 3 on March 26 at the Golden Tobacco factory in Vile Parle. Mid-day had earlier reported that the unit spent a week at the venue, filming several sequences with the leading lady. Last week, the shoot shifted to Yash Raj Studios in Andheri, where some of the cop drama's fight sequences are set to be filmed. A source tells us, "Abhiraj has lined up some pivotal action scenes for this leg. The portions being shot now are critical to the narrative. While Mardaani [2014] and its 2019 sequel tackled subjects of human trafficking and sexual assault respectively, the topic of the third edition hits closer home." The makers are tight-lipped about the actor playing the antagonist in the early 2026 release.

Rani Mukerji talks about Mardaani 3

Rani says, "I'm thrilled to announce that we are starting shooting of Mardaani 3 in April 2025! It is always special to wear the police uniform and play a character that has only given me love. I'm proud to essay the character of this feisty cop again in Mardaani 3 as a tribute to all the unsung, brave, self-sacrificing cops who work tirelessly every single day to keep us safe."

Rani reveals Mardaani 3 will take the adrenaline rush several notches higher than the previous films!

She says, "When we set out to make Mardaani 3, we were hoping that we find a script that would take the experience of watching a Mardaani franchise film higher. I am really excited about what we have at hand and I'm only hoping that the audience too feels the same after watching Mardaani 3 in theatres!"

Rani adds, "Mardaani is an extremely loved franchise and we have a certain responsibility to deliver to the expectation that people have. We will do our best to live up to this. Mardaani 3 is dark, deadly and brutal. So, I'm intrigued to find out the response of the people towards our film. I hope they shower this film with the same amount of love that they have always given."