Amma, a terrifying character at the center of a vast people trafficking and beggar mafia scheme, is one of the deadliest antagonists the franchise has seen thus far, according to the trailer for Mardaani 3. The tone and stakes of the Mardaani universe significantly change when Rani Mukerji’s character, ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy, is faced with a female antagonist for the first time in the series.
Spoilers’ Alert:
Amma is described as an elderly woman, who behind the pretense of intimidation and power, runs a brutal, national criminal enterprise. According to the trailer, she is the mastermind behind the disappearance of ninety-three young girls in just three months, which prompts Shivani’s investigation. These girls, who are between the ages of 8 and 11, are allegedly abducted or bought for huge sums of money—up to Rs 10 lakh per child, according to reports—before being drugged, coerced into organized begging, and exploited further.
Shivani discovers that Amma is the brain behind this scheme, running a vast network that makes money off of the systematic abuse of children. She is one of the most unnerving villains in contemporary Hindi cinema because of the juxtaposition between her serene exterior and the severity of her acts.
Mallika Prasad, a seasoned theater artist, director, and performer who has garnered a lot of attention since the trailer’s debut, plays the part. Viewers have praised the choice to cast a relatively unknown face for such a crucial role, adding to the reality and shock factor. Her subdued yet threatening depiction has been much discussed online.
Intense confrontations between Shivani and Amma are also hinted at in the trailer, including a potent scene in which the police officer promises to “cut” down the system. This remark has multiple meanings, alluding to both justice and Shivani’s unwillingness to accept bribes.
Release Date & Updates:
Mardaani 3, which is set to release in theaters on January 30, 2026, is being positioned as the darkest installment in the franchise to date. It takes an unsettling, socially conscious approach to organized crime, raising the moral and emotional stakes for its well-known protagonist.
