In the gritty, neon-lit alleys of Indian crime cinema, few characters command the screen with as much moral gravity as SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy. When Rani Mukerji first donned the uniform in 2014, she didn’t just play a cop. Therefore, she became a symbol of a shifting cinematic tide—one where the “hero” didn’t need a six-pack but a spine of steel. Now, in 2026, the third instalment of the Yash Raj Films franchise has arrived. She appeared recently on the Kapil Sharma show to promote her film along with many police officers. Her ultimate message was women’s empowerment.
The smoke clears from its first five days in the theatre. What do you think about where and how much the film has earned till now? The numbers tell a story as complex and bruising as the crimes Shivani investigates. Let’s understand day-to-day. box office collections in detail.
Also Read: Send Help (2026) Box Office Report: Strong Domestic Opening Powers Global Debut to $27.19 Million
The Opening Volley: Day 1 and the Weight of Expectations
Released on January 30, 2026, Mardaani 3 stepped into a theatrical landscape dominated by high-octane spectacles. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, who is a well-known director and has directed many films, including Tiger 3, Rocket Singh, Loveyatri, etc. The film opened with a modest ₹4.00 crore (India Net). To the casual observer, this might seem underwhelming for a franchise with such a pedigree. However, analysing the data reveals a calculated strategy.
YRF had to opt for a “controlled release” model—fewer screens, flat ticket pricing (₹260–₹340), and a focus on urban multiplexes. This strategy, aimed at longevity over front-loaded hype, mirrored the opening of Mardaani 2 (₹3.80 cr). Also, for a weekend surge.
As word-of-mouth trickled through social media, the film witnessed a healthy trajectory.
- Saturday (Day 2): The collections jumped by an impressive 56%, raking in ₹6.25 crore.
- Sunday (Day 3): The momentum peaked with ₹7.25 crore, bringing the opening weekend total to a respectable ₹17.50 crore.
During these 48 hours, Shivani Shivaji Roy seemed invincible. The occupancy in metros like Mumbai and Delhi NCR touched nearly 50% during evening shows. Audiences were clearly moved by the “dark, deadly, and brutal” narrative involving the beggar mafia and child trafficking. Not me, but all of us know what the world of box office math is. The weekend is only the honeymoon, and of course, Monday is the reality check. Moreover, the movie has to face the strong Bollywood blockbuster Border 2.
The “Border 2” Collision and the Monday Reality
The real antagonist of Mardaani 3 wasn’t “Amma” (played chillingly by Mallika Prasad); it was the box office juggernaut Border 2. Currently in its second week, the Sunny Deol starrer continued to syphon off screens and family audiences.
On Monday (Day 4), Mardaani 3 faced a brutal “Monday Test”, dropping nearly 70% to collect just ₹2.15 – ₹2.25 crore. By Tuesday (Day 5), the slide continued, with early estimates placing the collection at ₹1.31 – ₹2.17 crore. As of today, February 4, 2026, the total domestic net stands at approximately ₹21.50 – ₹22.00 crore, with a worldwide gross nearing ₹30 crore.
| Day | Date | Collection (Domestic) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 4 (Monday) | Feb 2, 2026 | ₹2.15 – ₹2.25 Cr | Sharp 70% drop – “Monday Test” |
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | Feb 3, 2026 | ₹1.31 – ₹2.17 Cr | Continued slide in collections |
| Total (Domestic Net) | Feb 4, 2026 | ₹21.50 – ₹22.00 Cr | Cumulative domestic earnings |
| Worldwide Gross | Feb 4, 2026 | ~₹30 Cr | Approximate global earnings |
Source: BoxOfficeReporter.com
Here, the empathy for the artist meets the candour of the analyst. Mardaani 3 was produced on a reported budget of ₹60 crore—nearly double that of its predecessor. While non-theatrical recoveries (satellite and digital rights, likely headed to a platform like Netflix) provide a safety net, the theatrical run needs to hit at least ₹45–₹50 crore net to be termed a “hit”.
What do you think? Will Mardaani 3 be possible? Reaching that milestone looks like an uphill battle. However, trust me, I am a fan of Rani from Mardaani 1 and part 2 and now this one as well. The film is “trending positive” in terms of critical acclaim, but it is “struggling” in terms of mass-market penetration.
Why didn’t Mardaani 3 skyrocket? Let’s do a creative postmortem.
- The “Delhi Crime” Shadow: Critics and audiences noted a sense of déjà vu. With high-quality streaming shows covering similar ground, the “gritty realism” of the Mardaani franchise no longer feels as unique as it did a decade ago.
- The Villain Vacuum: While Mallika Prasad’s “Amma” is terrifying, the film arguably lacks the visceral, personal face-off energy provided by Tahir Raj Bhasin or Vishal Jethwa in previous chapters.
- The Competition: You simply cannot ignore the “Border 2” factor. When a massive patriotic spectacle is running in the adjacent screen, a somber, disturbing thriller about child trafficking becomes a “heavy” choice for a weekend outing.
Mardaani 3 Box Office Collection Analysis: Released on January 30, 2026, Mardaani 3 features Rani Mukerji reprising her iconic role as SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy. The film opened with a steady ₹4.00 crore and saw its weekend collections peak at ₹17.50 crore India Net. However, facing stiff competition from Border 2, the film witnessed a significant 70% drop on its first Monday. As of February 4, 2026, the 5-day total stands at approximately ₹22 crore net, against a production budget of ₹60 crore, making its journey toward “Hit” status a challenging one despite positive critical acclaim for Rani’s performance.
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