Mardaani 3 (2026)

Mardaani 3 2026: the closing chapter of a franchise

Mardaani 3 2026 is a Hindi crime thriller from Yash Raj Films, produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Abhiraj Minawala. It brings back Rani Mukerji as the police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy, now an SSP, and it is described as the third and final instalment of the Mardaani trilogy.

It continues from Mardaani 2 (2019). One change worth noting for fans of the series is behind the camera: Gopi Puthran, who wrote and directed Mardaani 2, did not return as director this time. The screenplay is credited to Aayush Gupta, with the story credited to Aayush Gupta, Deepak Kingrani and Baljeet Singh Marwah.

We have not watched the film, so this page is a guide built from credits, release records and press coverage.

Release date and where to watch

The film was first scheduled for 27 February 2026, a week before Holi, and was then moved forward. Wikipedia, Hoyts and WION coverage point to a theatrical release on 30 January 2026.

On streaming, an India TV report dated 26 March 2026 says Netflix announced a 27 March start, and Wikipedia agrees. Wikipedia also lists a Sony Max television premiere for 16 August 2026, which we found only on that page. Check Netflix's catalogue in your country for current availability.

The running time is listed at 129 minutes. We did not find a verified Indian certificate, so none is given here.

Premise, cast and music

The premise is stark. SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy investigates the disappearance of 93 young girls who vanish under mysterious circumstances within three months. We are deliberately not describing how the case unfolds.

Beside Rani Mukerji, the listed cast includes Janki Bodiwala as Constable Fatima Anwar, Mallika Prasad as Amma, Jisshu Sengupta as Dr. Bikram Roy and Prajesh Kashyap as Ramanujan. Avanee Joshi, Diorr Varghese and Indraneel Bhattacharya are also named.

Sarthak Kalyani composed the songs and John Stewart Eduri the background score. The single Babbar Sherni was released on 20 January 2026, ten days before the theatrical release.

What to expect and who it suits

Expect a serious procedural built around a missing-persons case, in the tradition the series has set for itself with a no-nonsense lead officer. Given the subject, the tone will be heavy rather than light, and it is not a film for younger viewers.

If you follow the franchise, there is the added interest of seeing how the trilogy is rounded off under a new director. If you have not seen the earlier films, the page's information suggests it continues from Mardaani 2, so starting there may help, though we cannot say how much prior knowledge the film assumes.