Mardaani 3 may not have begun with blockbuster-level fanfare, but its box office performance so far has been telling a different tale altogether—one of patience, word-of-mouth, and trust-building. The film, which hit the screens on January 30, 2026, began its journey in the presence of tough competition from large-scale releases such as Border 2, thereby making it difficult for Mardaani 3 to make a strong opening.
Day 1 Box Office: A Decent but Cautious Start
On its first day, Mardaani 3 managed to register a decent India net box office collection of approximately ₹4 crore. Although the opening numbers were not spectacular, they did not indicate a complete rejection of the film either. It seemed that the audience was taking a cautious approach towards the film, waiting to hear reviews and feedback before deciding to watch it, which is not an uncommon trend for serious content-driven films.
Saturday Surge Driven by Positive Word-of-Mouth
The trend, however, seemed to change on Saturday. The positive response to Rani Mukerji’s powerful performance in the film as Shivani Shivaji Roy began to spread, especially on social media platforms and in urban centers. This led to an increase in the footfalls, thereby taking the film beyond the ₹10 crore mark in just two days.
Sunday Turns the Tide for Mardaani 3
Sunday proved to be a turning point. With increased occupancy in the evening and night shows, the movie registered its highest collections of the weekend. By the end of Sunday, Mardaani 3 had accumulated a net of around ₹17 crore in India, with its worldwide total estimated between ₹21 and ₹25 crores. The steady increase from day to day indicated that the movie was slowly but surely reaching its target audience.
A Healthy Box Office Trend Defies Convention
The most remarkable aspect of Mardaani 3 is not only the figures but also the way in which they are being reported. Unlike most movies that open strongly on the first day and then decline rapidly, this series has a much healthier trend—slow opening, steady increase, and strong weekend support. Such a trend is usually a sign of excellent word-of-mouth publicity, especially in movies that handle serious subject matter.
Weekday Test Will Decide Long-Term Performance
The challenge, however, is yet to come. The coming days will reveal whether Mardaani 3 can continue its strong opening or whether it will lose steam due to competition. Industry insiders have pointed out that if Mardaani 3 can hold on to its position on Monday and Tuesday, it will have a decent run in theaters despite not being a mass entertainer.
Audience Appreciation for Realistic Storytelling
The response from the audience so far indicates that they are appreciative of the serious tone and realistic portrayal of crime in the film, which has been the hallmark of the Mardaani franchise since its inception. In a market where the opening day numbers are the only thing that matters, Mardaani 3 is showing that films with strong content can still achieve success the hard way—by winning over the audience.
The Road Ahead for Mardaani 3
As the first week progresses, the focus is still on the film’s performance on weekdays. Whether Mardaani 3 becomes a sleeper hit or a consistent performer, one thing is certain—that its journey at the box office is far from over.
Disclaimer: All box office numbers and performance details mentioned above are estimates and subject to change. Readers are advised to refer to official sources for confirmed figures.
