Rani Mukerji's 'Mardaani 3' to hit screens on Holi 2026

The makers are pegging this film to be a bloody, violent clash between Shivani’s goodness vs sinister evil forces with its choice of release date.

Rani Mukerji’s iconic supercop, Shivani Shivaji Roy, is set to make a return to the big screen on February 27, 2026. On Monday, the makers officially announced the release date for Mardaani 3, the third installment of the acclaimed franchise. The film is directed by Abhiraj Minawala, a talent nurtured and groomed by YRF.

Choosing the vibrant Holi day for its release -- on March 4 -- the makers are using the festival’s symbolism of good triumphing over evil to frame the film as a gritty, violent face-off between Shivani’s justice and dark, sinister forces.

Rani had revealed that the edge-of-the-seat thriller is ‘dark, deadly and brutal’ and it immediately piqued curiosity amongst netizens, the fans of the star and the franchise.

With Mardaani 3, Aditya Chopra aims to nurture fresh talent by allowing two promising creatives from the direction and writing teams to shape the film’s future.

The screenplay, crafted by Aayush Gupta—celebrated for his work on The Railway Men—is being lauded for its bold and impactful narrative.

Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani is the biggest solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema that has garnered love and acclaim for over 10 years now.  Also, the biggest and only female cop franchise in India.