Mardaani, Mardaani 2, and Mardaani 3: Box Office Collection Comparison

The Mardaani franchise, headlined by Rani Mukerji as the formidable Superintendent of Police Shivani Shivaji Roy, stands as one of Bollywood’s most consistent action-thriller series. Launched in 2014 with Mardaani, the series has built a reputation for tackling serious social issues—child trafficking in the first film, sexual violence and serial crime in the second, and continued threats to vulnerable populations in the third—while maintaining a grounded, realistic tone. Produced by Yash Raj Films, each installment has relied on strong storytelling, compelling performances, and modest budgets rather than star-driven spectacle or extensive marketing campaigns.

This comparative analysis examines the box office performance of Mardaani (2014), Mardaani 2 (2019), and Mardaani 3 (released January 30, 2026), drawing on verified industry figures up to February 1, 2026. All collections are reported in Indian Rupees (₹ crore) and reflect net India figures unless stated otherwise. As Mardaani 3 is in its initial theatrical run, only early collections (up to Day 2) are available, limiting full lifetime comparisons at present. The following sections provide detailed breakdowns through structured tables for clarity.

Production Overview and Financial Verdict

Mardaani (2014), directed by Pradeep Sarkar, introduced audiences to Shivani Roy’s no-nonsense approach to justice. With a budget of approximately ₹21 crore, the film opened on August 22, 2014, to a modest Day 1 collection of ₹3.46 crore. It benefited from positive word-of-mouth and critical appreciation for its subject matter and Mukerji’s intense portrayal.

Mardaani 2, released on December 13, 2019, and directed by Gopi Puthran, marked a noticeable escalation in scale and intensity. The budget increased to ₹27–30 crore, reflecting higher production values and expectations.

Mardaani 3, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, arrived on January 30, 2026, continuing Shivani Roy’s mission against organized crime. Early reports indicate a budget higher than its predecessors, though exact figures remain undisclosed.

Budget and Verdict Summary

Daily and Weekly Collection Breakdown

The opening day collections of Mardaani reached ₹3.46 crore, with the opening weekend accumulating ₹14.46 crore and the first week reaching ₹22.97 crore. Lifetime India net collections settled at ₹35.82–35.83 crore, with a worldwide gross of ₹59.55 crore. The film was classified as a semi-hit, delivering respectable returns on its investment and establishing the franchise’s viability in the mid-budget segment.

For Mardaani 2, the film opened with a stronger Day 1 of ₹3.80 crore, followed by a healthy Day 2 of ₹6.55 crore, aided by favorable weekend timing and sustained audience interest. The opening weekend totaled ₹18.15 crore, and the first week reached ₹28.05 crore. Lifetime India net collections rose to ₹47.35–47.57 crore, with a worldwide gross of ₹67.12 crore. This represented a growth of approximately 32–33 percent over the original in India net terms, earning another semi-hit verdict. The improvement was attributed to better marketing, Mukerji’s rising credibility in the role, and the film’s timely release during a relatively clear festive window.

Mardaani 3 opened with a Day 1 collection estimated at ₹3.80–4.00 crore, aligning closely with Mardaani 2’s start. Day 2 showed encouraging growth, reaching ₹5.75–6.00 crore, bringing the two-day India net total to ₹9.55–10.00 crore. Worldwide collections over the same period stood at ₹13.80–14.25 crore. These numbers reflect a solid beginning despite competition from the high-profile release Border 2, which occupied a significant share of screens and impacted occupancy rates. Initial ticket sales data and positive audience feedback suggest potential for steady growth over the first weekend and subsequent weekdays, though final performance will depend on sustained word-of-mouth and competition levels.

Day-Wise and Weekly India Net Collections

Lifetime Performance Metrics

Several factors explain the franchise’s progressive box office trajectory. First, the series has consistently operated in the mid-budget range, allowing profitable returns even with moderate collections. Mardaani and Mardaani 2 both achieved semi-hit status with budgets under ₹30 crore, demonstrating strong return on investment. Second, Rani Mukerji’s commitment to the role has built a loyal audience base, with each film reinforcing her image as a credible action heroine in an industry often dominated by male-led franchises. Third, release timing has played a role: Mardaani 2 capitalized on holiday momentum, while Mardaani 3 faces early competition but benefits from post-holiday footfall and the franchise’s established goodwill.

Thematically, the series has evolved while retaining its core focus on women’s empowerment and law enforcement. This consistency has helped maintain critical and audience approval, contributing to incremental growth in collections. Overseas performance, though modest compared to mainstream blockbusters, has remained stable, contributing 15–16 percent to worldwide totals across all three films, primarily driven by diaspora audiences in the United Kingdom, United States, and Gulf countries.

Lifetime Collections Summary

In summary, the Mardaani franchise illustrates the enduring strength of content-driven cinema in Bollywood. Mardaani laid a solid foundation with ₹35.83 crore net, Mardaani 2 elevated the benchmark to ₹47.57 crore net, and Mardaani 3, in its early phase, shows promising signs of matching or surpassing its predecessor. The series’ ability to deliver impactful storytelling on controlled budgets continues to yield commercial success and cultural relevance. As Mardaani 3 progresses through its theatrical run, it will provide the final piece in this comparative picture, potentially solidifying the franchise’s position as one of the most reliable mid-tier successes in contemporary Indian cinema.