Rani Mukerji’s ‘Mardaani 3’ Sets 2026 Bow, First Look Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

India’s Yash Raj Films (YRF) has set a release date for their hard-hitting female cop franchise film “Mardaani 3,” starring Rani Mukerji as the fearless police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy.

The film is directed by Abhiraj Minawala, associate director on “War 2,” who came to the project after working on YRF productions including “Band Baaja Baraat,” “Sultan” and “Tiger 3.” The script is by Aayush Gupta, fresh off the international success of Netflix’s “The Railway Men,” produced by YRF, which marked his streaming debut as a screenplay writer.

The studio released an explosive first look of Mukerji in her iconic role while confirming a strategic release date that promises thematic resonance. The film, described as “dark, deadly and brutal” by Mukerji herself, will hit theaters on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, strategically positioned ahead of the Holi festival celebrations. The timing appears deliberate, as Holi falls on March 4 that year and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil – mirroring the film’s central conflict between Shivani’s righteousness and the sinister forces she’ll battle.

“Mardaani” stands as Hindi cinema’s most successful solo female-led franchise, earning both commercial success and critical acclaim over its decade-long run. The series has achieved cult status among Indian cinema enthusiasts and remains the country’s only major female cop franchise.

While plot details remain under wraps, the positioning of the release near Holi suggests audiences can expect what YRF describes as a “bloody, violent clash” between Mukerji’s character and the film’s antagonists.

Mukerji was last seen in critical and commercial success “Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway” (2023).