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    EYE ON BOLLYWOOD                                                   FEBRUARY 27, 2026       |  The Indian Eye 34

                                      ‘Mardaani 4’ Only When

             the Story Demands It: Abhiraj Minawala

                     on Expanding a Powerful Franchise

                   After the success of ‘Mardaani 3’, the makers signal openness to a fourth

                                            chapter—if the script lives up to the legacy.

            OUR BUREAU
                                                                                                                  up in the first film. My job was to en-
            Mumbai                                                                                                sure every character, even those ap-
                                                                                                                  pearing  briefly,  was  given  equal  im-
                   irector Abhiraj Minawala has                                                                   portance so the story moves forward
                   opened up about his jour-
            Dney with Mardaani 3 and the                                                                          organically,” he said.
                                                                                                                      The film’s reception appears to
            possibility of taking the acclaimed
            franchise  forward  with  a  fourth  in-                                                              have validated that effort. Minawala
                                                                                                                  described the audience response as
            stalment, making it clear that the fu-
            ture of Shivani Shivaji Roy depends                                                                   overwhelming.
                                                                                                                     “No one can decide the success
            entirely on the strength of the story.                                                                of a film. Content and audience are
                Following  the   success  of
            Mardaani 3, Minawala said the team                                                                    the kings. I have received many di-
                                                                                                                  rect messages from viewers thanking
            is open to continuing the journey of                                                                  me for making such a film. That was
            the fearless cop portrayed by Rani                                                                    unexpected and very motivating,” he
            Mukerji. However, he emphasised                                                                       added.
            that the franchise will only move
            ahead when a script worthy of its leg-
            acy is in place.                                                                                      The franchise’s strength also
                Speaking to reporters, Minawa-                                                                    lies in Rani Mukerji’s command-
            la said, “‘Mardaani 4’, I think, should
            be made. More films should be made.                                                                   ing portrayal of Shivani. Actor
            ‘Mardaani’ 1 and 2 empowered us to                                                                    Vishal Jethwa, who played a piv-
            make ‘Mardaani 3’. But of course, if
            you see ‘Mardaani 2,’ which came                                                                      otal role in Mardaani 2, recently
            out in 2019 and is now in 2026. The   Vishal Jethwa, Rani Mukherji and director Gopi Puthran during the promotion of their action   reunited with Rani at a special
            important thing in this is that I think
            ‘Mardaani 4’  should be made only              thriller Hindi film ‘Mardaani 2’, in Mumbai (ANI file photo)   screening of Mardaani 3 and
            when we have the right script, the                                                                    did not hold back in his praise.
            right story.”                     tion for impactful, issue-driven story-  this phase that producer Aditya
                That  careful  approach  reflects   telling. Each chapter has expanded   Chopra encouraged him to read the
            the franchise’s identity. Since its in-  the moral and emotional universe of   script of Mardaani 3.     “‘Mardaani’ will always be very
            ception, Mardaani has carved a dis-  Shivani, positioning her not just as a   “Once I read it, I liked it a lot. I   special  to  me,  and  so  will  Rani
            tinct space in Hindi cinema by tack-  cop, but as a symbol of justice con-  knew I had to make it 100 per cent.   ma’am. Working with her has been
            ling hard-hitting, socially relevant   fronting systemic rot.       The story connected with me at a   one of the most important learning
            issues through the lens of a strong   Minawala’s own journey with   very different level. It touched me   experiences of my life. She leads by
            female protagonist.               Yash Raj Films (YRF) mirrors the   not just as a director, but as a fa-  example with honesty, strength, and
                Directed by Abhiraj Minawa-   franchise’s evolution. He shared that   ther,” Minawala said, hinting at the   so much grace. Reuniting with her at
            la and produced by Aditya Chopra,  his association with the production   emotional  core  that  drives  the  film   the screening brought back so many
            Mardaani 3 continues that legacy,  house began years ago as an assistant   beyond its thriller elements.  memories,  and  I  couldn’t  be  more
            with Rani Mukerji reprising her role   director. “I have been associated with   Calling Mardaani a respected   grateful to have been a part of this
            as the bold and relentless Shivani  YRF for many years. My journey ac-  and established franchise, Minawala   journey,” he said.
            Shivaji Roy.                      tually started with ‘Rocket Singh’. I   credited the earlier films for laying a   He added, “‘Mardaani’ is Rani
                The  first  film  spotlighted  the   worked as an assistant director for a   strong foundation. He acknowledged   Mukerji ma’am, and Rani Muker-
            grim  underworld  of  human  traffick-  long time, constantly moving from   the work of filmmaker Pradeep Sark-  ji  ma’am  is  Mardaani.  No  one  can
            ing, while Mardaani 2 explored the   film to film,” he said.        ar, who directed the first instalment,   perform Shivani Shivaji Roy better
            chilling psyche of a brutal serial of-  Over time, he became deeply in-  and Gopi Puthran, who helmed the   then Rani ma’am. Saw Mardaani 3
            fender. The third instalment dives   volved in designing action sequences   second part.              and she again proved that she is Rani
            into another dark and urgent social   and contributing to creative discus-  “The toughest work was done   Mukerji for a reason I want to come
            issue, reinforcing the series’ reputa-  sions across projects. It was during   when the world of Mardaani was set   back as villain in Mardaani 4.”

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