Is Mardaani 3 Worth Watching? Can Rani Mukerji Shine Amid Predictable Twists and Weak Villains

Mardaani 3 was released on January 30, 2026, generating immediate reactions and buzz on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter). Many viewers showed excitement for Rani Mukerji’s return as DCP Shivani Shivaji Roy because they praised her commanding presence together with her action sequences. The tweets demonstrated her ability to express both determination and vulnerability, while online users rated her performance as “top-notch” and a primary reason to see the movie. Fans appreciated the film’s emotional weight and the way it handled social issues such as child trafficking, which they described as gripping in the first half and stunning in the interval twist.

Fan Discussions and Broader Online Sentiment

Across Reddit, Instagram, and X, the platform-based discussions show that a passionate fanbase of the franchise maintains active participation. The fans described Mardaani 3 as “the film we truly needed” because they appreciated its authentic depiction of criminal justice, Rani Mukerji’s powerful screen presence, and the movie’s emotional impact. Some compared it to the previous Mardaani movies, which use the same formula, but its main character and social themes make it different from the earlier films and more gripping. 

Critical Perspective

On X, critic Sumit Kadel scored Mardaani 3 (2 stars), considering it a mediocre criminal thriller compared to its predecessors. He criticized the second half for being over the top, predictable, and featuring unimpressive antagonists, while praising Rani Mukerji’s spectacular entrance and a powerful first-half twist. Kadel came to the conclusion that poor screenplay and writing undermined the earnest efforts of debut filmmaker Abhiraj Minawala.

Taran Adarsh emphasized the harmony between narrative and social messaging, calling it a “must-watch” for anybody who appreciates strong female-led storylines in Bollywood. These endorsements indicate possible continued box office momentum and bolster the good social media buzz.

Supporting Cast and Villain Analysis

Some audience members found Mallika Prasad and Janki Bodiwala’s performances to be satisfactory, yet the critical reviews showed that the villains failed to match the terror and complexity of earlier Mardaani villains. The film received agreement from critics and fans because Rani Mukerji’s performance established the movie’s foundation, yet the underdeveloped villains made certain scenes less interesting than they should have been, and some even pointed out that the second part of the film felt more like a Crime Patrol episode, which led to more dissatisfaction.

Constructive Criticism and Second-Half Weaknesses

The audience members reached a shared conclusion that Mardaani 3’s first half presented a well-executed pacing showing intense scenes with deep emotional content and an unexpected plot twist that created a major surprise for the audience. However, many audience members echoed that the second half falters. The viewers found the plot twists to be obvious, the climax did not meet their expectations, and the story progressed into theatrical storytelling, which diminished both tension and suspense. Critics argue that excessive dramatization prevents the film from maintaining the momentum established in the first half. While Rani Mukerji’s performance continues to impress, the screenplay and writing limit the overall impact of the sequel. 

Overall Audience and Critical Takeaway

Overall, the audience most appreciates Rani Mukerji’s performance, the first half’s intense moments, and the movie’s social theme, while critics point out the film’s weak writing and predictable plot developments and its disappointing antagonists. The film presents both strong elements and weak elements because it features an excellent central performance and important themes, but its screenplay and narrative decisions restrict the movie’s long-term effectiveness.