In a recent interview, Rani Mukerji opened up about the emotional toll of working on the Mardaani franchise, particularly the latest installment, Mardaani 3. Mukerji, who reprises her role as Shivani Shivaji Roy, a fierce police officer, described the experience as "emotionally demanding" due to the film's sensitive subject matter. The Mardaani series is known for tackling uncomfortable truths and sparking conversations about important social issues, and Mardaani 3 is no different.
Mukerji explained that the film delves into the true stories of young girls who go missing in India, which was particularly difficult to process. "To think of the missing girls and what their families go through is traumatising," she shared, highlighting the emotional impact the subject matter had on her. To effectively portray her character, she found it necessary to detach herself from these emotions to a certain extent. Mukerji believes becoming overly emotional could hinder her performance. She sees these films as a way to awaken people to the harsh realities surrounding them.
Mardaani 3 marks Mukerji's 30th year in Hindi cinema, and she sees it as fitting to celebrate this milestone with a franchise that champions resilience, courage, and the spirit of Indian women. She acknowledged that her career has been shaped by instinct and a love for storytelling, and that playing a woman fighting for dignity in her debut film, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, instilled in her a sense of responsibility that goes beyond glamour.
Looking back on her career, Mukerji identifies Saathiya as a turning point, as it allowed her to embrace flawed and emotionally complex characters. She also mentioned Black as one of the most demanding experiences of her career, pushing her to explore new emotional depths. According to Mukerji, marriage and motherhood have further shaped her perspective, making her more selective and aware of the legacy she wants to create through her work.
The Mardaani franchise holds a special place in Mukerji's heart, as it allows her to portray characters rooted in strength and resistance. She sees Shivani Shivaji Roy as representing "quiet strength" and appreciates the opportunity to tell stories that may be uncomfortable but necessary.
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, Mardaani 3 sees Shivani in a race against time to rescue missing girls and face off against a merciless antagonist named Amma, portrayed by Mallika Prasad. Prasad described her character as evil yet fierce, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to explore the complexities of a woman operating in the dark underbelly of the world. Mardaani 3 has been written by Aayush Gupta, with Deepak Kingrani and Baljeet Singh Marwah co-writing the story. The film is scheduled to be released on January 30.
