While we were busy obsessing over the monstrous success of Stree 2 and its raging box office run, Yash Raj Films (YRF) gave us another reason to celebrate. The studio announced the 10th anniversary of their iconic franchise, which put a female superstar in the lead and not only attracted audiences but also brought in significant box office numbers. This success motivated them to make more films within the same universe. Yes, we are talking about Mardaani. The franchise has seen two films so far, with the first one establishing Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy in 2014. Now, 10 years later, the makers have celebrated this joyous milestone with a compilation of some of the most powerful scenes from the film. And yes, they confirmed that Mardaani 3 is happening! 

Mardaani 3 Is Happening

For the uninitiated, YRF announced on their Instagram handle that Mardaani 3 is indeed happening and will be released on the big screen, honoring Rani Mukerji's commitment to cinema halls. Although there had been rumors for a long time, the makers casually announced the movie without any prior buzz or buildup. Read on to find out everything you need to know.

In the caption accompanying the compilation video, which ultimately announced Mardaani 3 starring Rani Mukerji, the studio wrote:"10 years of #Mardaani and the next chapter awaits... Celebrating the feisty, daredevil cop #ShivaniShivajiRoy and the spirit of #Mardaani today. Thank you for a decade of love and appreciation for our beloved franchise. We are inspired... again... thanks to you. #RaniMukerji #10YearsOfMardaani"

Mardaani 3 Still in the Writing Stage

According to a report by Pinkvilla, Mardaani 3 is still in the writing stage, with the writers putting the final touches on the script. The makers are excited and will move to the pre-production stage soon after. Aditya Chopra has developed the script with his in-house writers, and they have been brainstorming ideas that respect the legacy of the franchise for a long time. They have finally settled on one. There is no news yet on who will direct the third installment. However, based on Aditya Chopra’s approach to hiring filmmakers, it will likely be a completely new name. The first film was directed by Pradeep Sarkar, and the second by Gopi Puthran.

Mardaani 3 Villain

The Mardaani franchise is known for its villains, just as much as it is for Rani Mukerji’s character. The first film gave us Tahir Raj Bhasin, while the second featured the brilliant Vishal Jethwa. A source close to the development says the team is committed to casting another stellar villain in the third film. "Be it Tahir Raj Bhasin in Mardaani or Vishal Jethwa in Mardaani 2, the franchise is known for menacing villains. The journey shall continue in the new chapter, as the makers will be pitting a strong personality against Rani Mukerji," the source added.

Rani Mukerji’s Schedule

Rani Mukerji, who holds Mardaani close to her heart, is gearing up to reprise her role. However, before she begins work on Mardaani 3, she will complete filming Shonali Bose’s next project, a family dramedy backed by Junglee Pictures. According to the report, she will start shooting for Mardaani 3 in the first quarter of 2025. "She loves playing Shivani Shivaji Roy, as it’s an empowering and strong character. It’s rare for a female lead to spearhead a franchise in India, and Rani is doing that with Mardaani," the source added.

There is no update on the release window for Mardaani 3 yet, but given the current progress, one could expect a late 2025 or early 2026 release. Stay tuned to Mobile Masala for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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