MARDAANI makes history – only female cop franchise to succeed in 113 years of Hindi cinema, lands unprecedented hattrick of hits

In the 113-year journey of Hindi cinema, various genres have evolved, stars have come and gone, and audience preferences have changed dramatically. However, one particular space has consistently resisted success: the female-led police procedural. Against this backdrop, the Mardaani franchise has achieved something unique in Hindi cinema — three successful theatrical films featuring a solo female police officer, starring Rani Mukerji.

 The franchise has now delivered a hattrick of hits, with a strong opening weekend that saw figures of Rs. 17 crore on Friday, Rs. 25 crore on Saturday, Rs. 4 crore on Sunday, and Rs. 7.25 crore on Sunday. This organic growth indicates word-of-mouth appeal rather than initial curiosity, reaffirming the theatrical market's interest in content-driven cinema.

Historically, female-led police films have faced structural challenges in the Hindi cinema market.

 Police procedurals, which often lack the exaggerated mass heroism typical of other genres, are frequently seen as niche. Female-led action thrillers tend to be underfunded or under-marketed, limiting their reach even before release. Moreover, authority-driven narratives have traditionally been associated with male stars, making it harder to gain audience acceptance for women in such roles.

As a result, films featuring women in uniform have either shifted to ensemble storytelling or struggled to achieve meaningful commercial success.

 Sustained success with a solo female protagonist in this genre has been rare until the Mardaani series.

The success of the Mardaani franchise was not due to scale or spectacle, but rather through consistency and credibility.

 The first Mardaani, released 18 years into Rani Mukerji's career, introduced Shivani Shivaji Roy as a grounded, no-frills police officer. The film, mounted on a mid-range budget and targeting an adult audience, succeeded quietly yet decisively, proving that a female cop could anchor a serious thriller without gimmicks or dilution.

Mardaani 2, released 23 years after Mukerji's debut, took the franchise further.

 Darker, more intense, and uncompromising in tone, the sequel tested audience appetite for a grimmer narrative and succeeded. Its success confirmed that the franchise was not a one-off, but a sustainable theatrical property.

This trust has continued into Mardaani 3, released nearly 30 years into Mukerji's career, in a post-pandemic environment where most female-led thrillers opt for direct-to-digital releases.

 The film's steady growth from Friday to Sunday indicates organic word of mouth and reaffirms the market's interest in content-driven cinema.

What makes this achievement particularly significant is its longevity.

 Across nearly three decades in Hindi cinema (1996–2026), Rani Mukerji has continued to deliver theatrical successes as a solo lead — a rarity in the industry. Few actresses globally, and arguably none in Hindi cinema, have sustained a solo-led franchise over such an extended period.

The Mardaani series has thrived across three major phases of the industry — the pre-OTT era, the peak of multiplex cinema, and the post-pandemic theatrical market.

 Each film has consistently reinforced the idea that female-driven authority roles can be commercially successful when supported by credibility, restraint, and consistency.

With three successful theatrical films, the Mardaani series now stands as the only female cop franchise to maintain consistent box-office success in the history of Hindi cinema.

 This achievement is unprecedented and challenges long-held assumptions surrounding gender, genre, and box-office viability.

In delivering this rare hattrick, Rani Mukerji has not only defied industry skepticism but has carved out a legacy that may take years — if not decades — for Hindi cinema to replicate.