The “Shivani Shivaji Roy” magic is officially back. Despite the looming presence of massive action blockbusters like Border 2 and Dhurandhar, Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani 3 has delivered a gritty and consistent performance in its opening weekend. Within just 48 hours of its global release, the film has amassed a worldwide gross of ₹16.20 crore, achieving a significant milestone by surpassing 44% of the total lifetime earnings of Rani Mukerji’s last global release, Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway (₹36.53 crore).
A Power-Packed Weekend Growth
The threequel opened on Friday with a steady ₹3.8–₹4 crore net in India, marking the highest opening day in the Mardaani franchise’s history. Benefitting from strong word-of-mouth and the “scarcity model” release strategy, the film witnessed a healthy 50% jump on Saturday.
- India Net Collection: ₹10 crore
- India Gross Collection: ₹11.80 crore
- Overseas Gross: ₹4.40 crore
- Worldwide Total (48 Hours): ₹16.20 crore
The film’s overseas performance has been particularly impressive, recording a 61% jump on its second day. International markets, traditionally strong for Rani Mukerji, contributed ₹4.4 crore to the kitty, proving that the franchise’s global fanbase remains intact after a seven-year hiatus.
Defying the “Mass Action” Wave
What makes the Mardaani 3 box office run notable is the intense competition it faces. While Border 2 continues to dominate single screens and Dhurandhar maintains a stronghold in multiplexes, the Rani Mukerji-starrer has carved its own niche:
- Urban Occupancy: Evening and night shows in major circuits like Mumbai (30%) and Pune (34%) saw peak occupancy, driven by adult audiences.
- Franchise Value: The film has already outpaced the first two days of Mardaani 2 (₹14.50 crore gross), indicating a growing appetite for the brand.
- Critical Support: Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar have lauded the film on social media, describing Rani as the “Goddess of acting” and driving the “must-watch” sentiment.
As the film enters the crucial Sunday test, early estimates suggest it is on track for a ₹16–₹17 crore net opening weekend in India, setting it up for a solid run in the coming weeks with limited new competition on the horizon.
Key Highlights:
- Global Success: Mardaani 3 has grossed ₹16.20 crore worldwide in just two days, outperforming the first two days of Mardaani 2.
- The “Mrs. Chatterjee” Benchmark: The film has already earned 44% of the total lifetime global collection of Rani’s previous theatrical release, Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway.
- Strong Saturday Jump: Domestic collections saw a 50% increase on Day 2, bringing the total India net to ₹10 crore.
- Overseas Surge: International box office numbers grew by 61% on Saturday, contributing ₹4.4 crore gross to the total.