At a time when many young actresses are hesitant to lead female-centered movies because of doubts about how well they'll do at the box office, Rani Mukerji, who is 47, keeps proving that women-led films can still succeed. The opening weekend of Mardaani 3, which made Rs. 4 crore on its first day, is more than just a number. It reminds people that female-led films are still relevant in theaters, especially when they have strong messages, clear purpose, and content that connects with viewers. In today’s film industry, which often focuses on big effects and hype, Mukerji stands out for her ability to keep audiences interested through meaningful stories.
The early success of Mardaani 3 has once again shown that Mukerji has a special ability to draw people in with stories that have a message.
After making Rs. 4 crore on the first day, the film saw a big 50% increase to Rs. 6 crore on the second day, bringing its total to Rs. 10 crore. This pattern shows that people might not rush to see a film on the first day, but they come in steadily when the story matters. With Sunday also doing well, the film is expected to have a good opening weekend even though it deals with serious topics and faces tough competition.
The Mardaani series is a rare example in Hindi cinema.
It is India’s only female-led action thriller series that has been consistently successful. Playing the character of SSP Shivani Shivaji Roy, Mukerji has led all three movies with confidence, tackling issues like violence against women and failures in the system. Each film in the series has grown in popularity beyond its opening day, thanks to trust in both the character and the actor behind it.
The strong start of Mardaani 3, which is better than the previous films and had a big boost on Day 2, shows that audiences now see the franchise as credible, not just as a gimmick.
In a time when films with important messages often struggle to find a place in theaters, Mardaani proves that storytelling with a social message can still do well at the box office.
This kind of audience response has been a key part of Mukerji’s career since she stopped being a superstar.
Unlike films that try to become hits quickly through big effects or heavy marketing, her movies usually rely on word of mouth and build up slowly, gaining more fans over time.
Movies like Hichki, which focused on inclusion and education, became big hits even with modest openings.
No One Killed Jessica combined social issues with box office success, while Talaash mixed psychological drama with emotional depth. None of these opened with huge numbers, but they all had strong staying power.
Mukerji’s ability to lead meaningful films at the box office was clear even early in her career.
Black, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was one of her best performances and proved that emotionally intense, woman-centered films could still attract audiences.
Her credibility grew with Hichki, where she played a teacher with Tourette Syndrome, bringing attention to neurological differences while connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds.
These films helped show what commercial success can look like for female-led movies.
More recently, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway again proved Mukerji’s strength in emotionally powerful, real-life dramas.
Based on a real custody battle, the film won her critical praise and a National Award while also performing well at the box office. It once again showed her ability to bring people to serious stories without losing their emotional impact.
What really makes Mukerji special is her versatility.
From the emotional depth of Black to the raw realism of Mardaani, and from inspiring dramas like Hichki to real-life stories like Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, she keeps her audience interested in different genres that are driven by purpose rather than by spectacle.
Importantly, her films rarely try to tell people what to think.
Instead, they encourage viewers to connect with the story on an emotional level. Exhibitor feedback on Mardaani 3 clearly shows this balance, with people of all ages showing up to watch.
The growth of Mardaani 3 from Day 1 to Day 2 reflects a bigger change in how audiences watch films today.
Viewers are more careful now, often waiting for reviews before deciding to see a film, especially if it deals with serious topics. Once they find the film credible, the growth tends to be natural and lasting. Mukerji’s filmography shows this pattern more than most.
As Mardaani 3 continues its run in theaters, its early performance reaffirms a bigger truth: Rani Mukerji is one of the few actors whose socially relevant films still draw attention in theaters.
In a market that often focuses on visual effects and big marketing, her ability to draw crowds through meaningful content is not just a phase, but a strength that has lasted for decades.
