Yash Raj Films unveiled the trailer of Mardaani 3 yesterday which has instantly ignited buzz — and not just for the return of Rani Mukerji as the widely loved character of ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy, but also for its chilling antagonist, ‘Amma,’ portrayed by Mallika Prasad. The Mardaani franchise known for giving Bollywood its most gruesome villains has once again hit it out of the park!
In the past 24 hours, netizens have reacted with a range of emotions from fear to hate for ‘Amma’ with online reactions highlighting her menacing screen presence and the intensity with which Mallika Prasad embodies the mastermind behind a brutal human-trafficking network, setting up a gripping face-off with Shivani. People have also praised the raw, unsettling portrayal of Amma, admiring the depth and psychological edge the character brings to the story, crediting Prasad’s performance with adding a fresh, chilling layer to the franchise.
Talking about all the love she’s been receiving Mallika says, “Mardaani 3 stands as one of the most defining experiences of my career. Amma is evil yet holds a fierce spirit. It was a privilege to bring her to life. Roles like these demand that you shed comforts, sit with your own shadows, and stand in a truth larger than yourself. Amma challenged me in ways I did not anticipate. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process, and I am most grateful for the opportunity.”
She adds, “My heartfelt thanks to Abhiraj, for his trust, his gentle manner, and unwavering vision. My deep gratitude to YRF and Mr. Aditya Chopra whose faith in me and in the script made it easy to build a character like Amma with such freedom. I thank Shanoo Sharma, who is one of the key reasons I am here.”
Mallika further adds, “The entire cast offers exceptional talent, discipline, and generosity. I feel honored to stand alongside them. Above all, my respect goes to the crew. Their commitment and level of excellence lifts the entire narrative. Their unwavering warmth made going to the set every day an absolute joy! I am so proud to be part of this team. The Mardani franchise has a powerful legacy of confronting uncomfortable truths and pushing conversations forward, and I feel honored to be part of that journey. Rani Mukerji is brilliant in her portrayal of Shivani Roy as she brings to light, yet again, the real women out there in the world fighting unimaginable crimes. These unsung heroes are the reason I explore the darkness in Amma.”
She ends saying, “I am grateful that the character of Amma allows me to explore the complexity of a woman who inhabits the dark underbelly of our world. I am so glad that the script and Abhiraj moved away from an easy, simplistic, black and white telling of this story - giving the character of Amma depth and dimension. The response to the Mardaani 3 trailer has been overwhelming, and I am truly humbled by the curiosity and excitement Amma has already sparked. To everyone who has sent messages, or embraced the intensity of the trailer. I cannot wait for audiences to step into Amma’s world, and to experience the fire that drives her… and that’s where her power lies.
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 continues the franchise’s tradition of socially relevant cinema. While Mardaani exposed the grim realities of human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing psyche of a serial rapist who challenged the system, Mardaani 3 delves into another dark and brutal reality of our society, further strengthening the franchise’s legacy of impactful, issue-based storytelling.
