‘Mardaani Is Not Just a Film, It Is My Identity’:  Rani Mukerji

With the film Mardaani, audiences were introduced to Shivani Shivaji Roy, a fearless police officer who, while searching for a missing teenage girl, uncovers the dark and organized world of human trafficking. The 2019 sequel, Mardaani 2, presented Shivani in an even more intense and aggressive avatar. Now, Mardaani 3 has hit the screens and is earning massive appreciation from viewers. Once again, Rani Mukerji has breathed life into the character of Shivani, a performance that audiences are praising wholeheartedly. In a recent interaction, the actress opened up about the franchise and her personal journey.

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When you signed Mardaani for the first time, did you ever imagine it would receive so much love and grow into a franchise?

Not at all. When we started Mardaani, no one had imagined it would become a franchise. At that time, it was a very natural process. After the Nirbhaya case, there was anger, unrest, and pain that we were all feeling. The only question was—how does a creative person express that pain and anger? For me, Mardaani became that medium. While sitting with Aditya and Pradeep da, we felt that if we were experiencing these emotions, society must be feeling them too. Shivani Shivaji Roy was born out of that collective anger. Perhaps that’s why people still connect with her. The biggest strength of Mardaani is its honesty.

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At what point in life did you feel that staying silent was no longer an option, and it was time to fight like ‘Mardaani’?

Women have to be ‘mardaani’ every single day, in every situation—at home, outside, and even while traveling.

During your 30-year-long journey in the film industry, what has kept your passion for acting alive?

My fans. Their appreciation and love have always encouraged me. That kind of love is more than enough for an artist. Bringing characters that inspire and make audiences feel something is what has kept me going for so many years.

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Through films like Black and No One Killed Jessica, how did you come to understand cinema differently, and how did this journey change you internally?

My father was from Jhansi. During childhood vacations, he would take me there and show me the lanes of the city. I had seen Rani Lakshmibai’s fort at a very young age. I had heard the lines “Khoob ladi mardani woh toh Jhansi wali Rani thi” many times. My father would narrate stories and show the place from where Rani Lakshmibai jumped with her horse. Those stories stayed with me. As Bengalis, we worship Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali—symbols of power who destroyed evil. Stories connected with strength have always influenced me deeply.

After the success of female-centric films, did you ever feel that audience expectations were limiting you to a certain kind of role?

No, not at all. As an artist, I have always been interested in good stories. I like portraying strong Indian women in different forms—sometimes studying, sometimes wearing a saree and managing a home, sometimes working professionally, and sometimes serving the nation in uniform. Whether it’s the journalist in No One Killed Jessica, Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani, or Devika as a homemaker, Indian women are incredibly strong, and I want cinema to reflect that strength clearly.

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If you were offered an offbeat role at a time when you are known for intense characters, which genre would you choose?

Romance. I believe love and emotions are just as important. That’s also why Mardaani is so special to me. I only need the audience’s support. As long as they stand by me, I will continue to tell such stories.

If a film were ever made on your life, which personal struggle or experience would you want to show that has remained unseen so far?

Maybe someday it will be made. Creative freedom exists for everyone. But I feel there is still a lot of time for that. Life still has many lessons to teach me. There is much more to achieve and much more to learn. For now, this journey has only just begun.

As an artist, mother, wife, and daughter, which role feels the most challenging?

The moment you prioritize one role too much, the balance of the others gets disturbed. Maintaining balance among all these responsibilities is challenging—not just for me, but for every woman.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main story of Mardaani 3?

In the film  Mardaani 3, Shivani Shivaji Roy is seen as a fearless police officer who gets to the bottom of organised crimes like human trafficking.

Q2. Which character is Rani Mukerji playing in Mardaani 3?

Rani Mukherjee is playing the role of Shivani Shivaji Roy in this film.

Q3. How has this character evolved in the Mardaani franchise?

While the first film featured Shivani searching for a missing teenager, Mardaani 2 saw her become tougher and more aggressive, and Mardaani 3 featured her character as even more powerful and influential.

Q4. What did Rani Mukerji say about the Mardaani franchise?

In a recent conversation, Rani Mukerji opened up about her experience, the challenges of the character, and her journey in this franchise.

Q5. How has the audience reacted to Mardaani 3?

Mardaani 3 has received a tremendous response from the audience, and Rani Mukerji's performance is being highly appreciated.

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