Mukerji said the role carries a deep sense of responsibility, as audiences have strongly connected with the character since the first Mardaani film. “This is not just a film, it is a responsibility. Shivani Shivaji Roy has found a place in people’s hearts. Every time I return to this role, there is pressure to be more truthful and stronger than before,” she said. According to the actor, the third film explores an even more disturbing subject, with higher emotional and physical stakes.
Mukerji said she draws strength for such demanding roles from the cultural and spiritual environment she grew up in. “The courage to play these characters comes from my upbringing and from Kali and Durga. We have grown up listening to stories of these goddesses, who stood up against evil and protected the innocent. That strength stays with us subconsciously,” she said, explaining how these influences help her portray resilience on screen.
Mardaani 3 will see Shivani Shivaji Roy taking on a ruthless and highly intelligent female antagonist, marking a shift from previous instalments. The film centres on the rescue of missing girls and tackles issues linked to organised crime and human trafficking. Mukerji described the confrontation as “violent and merciless,” underlining that the narrative aims to reflect the harsh realities faced by law enforcement while protecting vulnerable lives.
The Mardaani franchise has been widely noted for addressing social issues, particularly crimes against women, without softening their impact. Mukerji said such films can only continue if audiences support them. “Actors become powerful only when films succeed. When viewers watch and back these stories, it gives us the courage to bring more real issues to the screen,” she said.
From her debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat to the Mardaani series, Mukerji has consistently chosen roles rooted in social relevance. With Mardaani 3, she aims to continue that trajectory, delivering a film that is both unsettling and necessary.
