Rani Mukerji’s back as Shivani Shivaji Roy, and she’s not playing around. Mardaani 3 stormed into theaters with a strong 4 crore nett opening, but the real fireworks came on Saturday. The numbers jumped to around ₹8 crore nett, yeah, that’s a 100% surge in just one day. In just 48 hours, the film has already crossed the ₹12 crore mark in India, even with biggies like Border 2 still holding their ground.

If you know the Mardaani series, you know it’s always been a word-of-mouth winner. This third chapter isn’t breaking the streak. Since its release on January 30, 2026, Mardaani 3 has been riding high on buzz and fan excitement. For context, the first movie opened at ₹3.46 crore and wrapped up at ₹35.82 crore. The sequel did a bit better, starting at ₹3.80 crore and finishing with ₹47.57 crore. Now, part three has blown past those opening numbers, showing just how much fans love Rani’s no-nonsense cop act.

So what’s fueling this big Saturday bounce? Social media’s on fire with praise for the film’s gritty story, diving deep into cybercrime and human trafficking. People can’t stop talking about Rani’s fierce performance, with Janki Bodiwala delivering solid backup. The film’s tight, intense vibe are pulling in city crowds, especially in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.

Analysts are already looking ahead, predicting the weekend haul could reach ₹20-25 crore if this energy sticks around. Sure, reviews are mixed, but with a budget around ₹60 crore, the film’s got a real shot at turning a profit if it crosses ₹50 crore nett in India alone. Overseas, Mardaani 3 grabbed another ₹2.7 crore on Day 1, so the worldwide total has already zipped past ₹7 crore.

Story-wise, Rani’s Shivani is back on the hunt, chasing a brutal villain in a tense, high-stakes game. Yash Raj Films played it smart, keeping the release tight to 1200 screens to give the movie some legs. Even Akshay Kumar jumped in, calling Rani the “goddess of acting” after the film’s hot start.

With no big new releases on the horizon, Mardaani 3 looks set to become 2026’s first major female-led success. Keep an eye out for the final Day 2 numbers, but this massive leap is proof: Rani Mukerji’s star power isn’t fading anytime soon. Catch it on the big screen, you’ll feel the heat.