Mardaani 3 preponed to avoid clash with O`Romeo and Tu Yaa Main

Shivani Shivaji Roy will rule the big screen 15 days sooner than planned. Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani 3, earlier slated for a February 13 release, will now hit theatres on January 30. Yash Raj Films announced the date change over the weekend, prompting questions about the sudden shift.

mid-day has learnt that the makers had been deliberating the move for a while, considering February 13 is already crowded with Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo and Aanand L Rai’s upcoming production, Tu Yaa Main.

Abhiraj Minawala is the film’s director

“Three-way clash never serves anyone. This is something that the makers had been thinking about for some time, but they wanted to weigh all the pros and cons before narrowing it down to January 30,” says a source. “Both O’Romeo and Tu Yaa Main dropped their promotional assets over the weekend, marking the beginning of their campaigns. So, the Mardaani 3 team thought this was the right time to announce the new date. All three films look solid in their own right, and it’s only fair that the makers would want their films to grab maximum attention.”

Mukerji reprises her role as senior inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy in the third instalment, helmed by debutant Abhiraj Minawala, who has previously assisted on YRF films like Sultan (2016), Fan (2016) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2011). The film arrives seven years after Mardaani 2 (2019).

Janki Bodiwala

Another insider says the team remains confident despite a short promotional window. “It’s a relevant, empowering and moving story of justice and the strength of women. Mardaani is a hit franchise and Rani is loved as Shivani Shivaji Roy, so a 15-day, focused promotional campaign will also be enough for the film.”