Shah Rukh Khan extended warm and personal best wishes to Rani Mukerji as her film Mardaani 3 hit theatres on January 30, 2026. Marking 30 years in Bollywood, Rani returns as the fierce DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy in the third installment of Yash Raj Films’ acclaimed female-cop franchise. SRK took to X to share his message: “Just from the heart….to my Rani ‘Mardaani’ all my best wishes. I am sure you will be feisty, strong & compassionate in Mardaani 3 like u are in the real world too.”
The note struck a chord with fans, highlighting the long-standing camaraderie between the two stars who have shared screen space in several memorable films. Coming on the heels of Rani’s National Award-winning performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Mardaani 3 sees her tackle a ruthless beggar mafia network exploiting young girls, with the added twist of facing a female antagonist for the first time in the series.
Despite receiving largely positive reviews praising Rani’s commanding presence, the film’s opening day box office remained modest. Industry tracker Sacnilk reported a collection of Rs 3.8 crore on day one across approximately 2,345 shows nationwide, with an overall occupancy of 18.01%. Evening and night shows showed better turnout, reaching 17.13% and 31.14% respectively, while morning occupancy started lower at 8.97%. Mumbai led in occupancy at 26.75%, followed closely by Delhi-NCR.
Also Read: 'Mardaani 3' Opens Strong, Fans Crown Rani Mukerji ‘Irreplaceable’ in Franchise Return
The Mardaani franchise has built a strong reputation since its 2014 debut, which earned Rs 59.55 crore on a Rs 21 crore budget. The 2019 sequel, Mardaani 2, performed even better with Rs 67.12 crore against a Rs 27 crore budget, cementing Rani’s stature as a powerhouse performer in socially relevant cinema. Mardaani 3 continues the legacy, focusing on systemic issues like child trafficking and patriarchy.
With glowing early reviews calling Rani “irreplaceable” in the role, the film carries high expectations for a strong weekday pickup and sustained run at the box office.
Also Read: 'Mardaani 3' Opens Strong, Fans Crown Rani Mukerji ‘Irreplaceable’ in Franchise Return