Mardaani 3 Review: Predictable at times, but definitely not for the faint-hearted!  

Prachi Khandelwal

If you have watched movies like Saiyaara or Param Sundari in theatres, then this movie deserves much more from you. Although the pattern may seem similar to Mardani 1 and 2, the climax, the dialogue, and the acting will definitely give you goosebumps. The film follows the familiar style of the Mardaani franchise, but still manages to shake you emotionally.

The Build-up (Spoiler-free)

The first hour of the film felt a little slow, almost like an episode of the TV series Crime Patrol. You might make assumptions and get it right about where many scenes are heading, and the writing isn’t very strong either, at least in the beginning. But as the film moves forward, the emotions deepen, and the story grows bigger. The second half builds tension, and the climax hits you hard with powerful moments that stay with you.

Performances

The film franchise is written and made for Rani Mukherjee as she carries the movie on her shoulders. No other actress could have done it like Rani Mukherjee. She, as cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, is intense, emotional, and completely believable in every scene. If the film deserves a 3.5, Rani alone pushes it to a solid 4 out of 5.

Prajesh Kashyap, who plays Ramanujan, is the real villain to watch. His acting is convincing enough to make us truly hate him. On the other hand, Mallika Prasad as “Amma” feels like a weaker casting choice and lacks the required menace. While she puts in an earnest performance, a stronger casting could have added the emotional and disturbing impact that the makers may have intended.

Janki Bodiwala performs very well and brings sincerity to her scenes, though the predictable writing holds her scenes a bit back at times. The young girls in the film are heartbreaking and deliver some of the strongest emotional moments.

Trigger Warning: It might disturb you for a longer period of time if you are very sensitive.

What Works

The film works best when it dives into raw emotions. The main villain also adds strong tension to the story. While the movie slowly builds up, it is gripping, and the climax gives you goosebumps, not once or twice but many times. Like previous films in the franchise, Mardaani 3 shows society a harsh reality that is difficult to ignore.

What Doesn’t Work

The weakest part of the film is its slow first hour and the predictability of some scenes if you are an action-thriller lover. The writing doesn’t offer anything majorly new in the beginning. Some scenes feel recognisable because the franchise has followed a similar pattern before.

Final Verdict

Mardaani 3 is not a film for the faint-hearted. It is emotional, disturbing, and you feel the pain, fear, and intensity through its dialogues and performances. If you are a feminist or someone who enjoys watching female actors dominate the screen with powerful and bold performances, this film deserves to be watched in theatres—especially for the strong performances by the young cast. It is also worth watching if you want to see a mirror of what life in India is like, especially for women, as the film presents this reality through very impactful dialogues.

A must-watch for every woman and every sensible man who believes in understanding women. This third sequel delivers exactly what was expected from the franchise.

Overall, it’s a 3.5/5, but Rani Mukherjee and the young girls take it to a 4/5.