Akshay Kumar praises Rani Mukerji as Mardaani 3 opens strong at box office

Akshay Kumar hails Rani Mukerji as ‘goddess of acting’ as Mardaani 3 roars at the box office

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has thrown his weight behind the latest release of Rani Mukerji, Mardaani 3, praising the actor effusively as the film opened to an emphatic response at the box office. Taking to social media, Kumar urged audiences to watch the crime thriller, calling Mukerji the “goddess of acting” and applauding her powerful performance in the film.

“Go watch the ‘goddess’ of acting in her most powerful avatar. I saw it. I loved it. Don’t miss it!” Kumar wrote, a message that quickly caught the attention of fans and industry insiders alike. His endorsement came at a moment when Mardaani 3 was already gaining significant momentum across the country.

The third instalment of the Mardaani franchise has taken a thunderous start, exceeding trade expectations on its opening day. According to early box office figures, the film collected ₹4 crore on Day 1, making it the biggest opener not only in the Mardaani series but also for a solo Rani Mukerji-led film. The achievement is being widely viewed as a landmark moment for female-led cinema in India, particularly within the action-thriller genre.

Directed as a hard-hitting, message-oriented thriller, Mardaani 3 sees Mukerji reprise her role as a determined law enforcement officer, a character that has become synonymous with the franchise’s gritty tone and social commentary. Audiences and critics have responded positively, with reviews highlighting the film’s intensity, topical relevance and Mukerji’s commanding screen presence.

Trade analysts note that the strong opening is being fuelled by a combination of favourable reviews and robust word of mouth. Cinema halls in several cities have reported steady footfall, suggesting that the film could sustain its momentum well into the weekend and beyond. The opening-day performance is especially notable given the competitive theatrical landscape and the challenges often faced by women-centric films at the box office.

Akshay Kumar’s public show of support has further amplified the film’s buzz, underscoring the camaraderie and mutual respect shared by leading figures in the Hindi film industry. As Mardaani 3 continues its theatrical run, all eyes will be on whether it can translate its impressive start into a long and successful box office journey, potentially setting new benchmarks for female-led franchises in Bollywood.