Janki Bodiwala's Unexpected Journey to 'Mardaani 3'
In a remarkable twist of fate, actress Janki Bodiwala did not travel to Mumbai with the intention of pursuing a Yash Raj Films (YRF) project. Instead, she had arrived in the city for entirely different professional commitments. However, on that very same day, she received an unexpected audition call that would dramatically alter her career trajectory, ultimately landing her a significant role in the upcoming thriller 'Mardaani 3'.
The Fortuitous Audition Call
As reported by Mid-Day, Bodiwala shared the serendipitous details of her casting story. While she was in Mumbai for unrelated work, casting director Shanoo Sharma contacted her. "I had gone to Mumbai for some other work. That very day, I got a call from Shanoo Ma'am, who asked me to audition for a part," Bodiwala recounted. She proceeded directly to the production house's office, where Sharma assisted her in preparing before the audition recording.
The real surprise unfolded later, as Bodiwala began her journey back to Ahmedabad. "Later, when I was returning to Ahmedabad, she called and said that the makers had liked me and wanted me to come back," the actress recalled. Reflecting on the sudden turn of events, she expressed disbelief: "I thought to myself, 'I had gone for some other work and now I'm doing a YRF film'." This last-minute test at the production house swiftly transformed into what she describes as a major career breakthrough.
Working Alongside Rani Mukerji
In 'Mardaani 3', Bodiwala portrays a police officer alongside the acclaimed Rani Mukerji. She admitted to experiencing initial nervousness on set. "For the first two-three shots, I was quite nervous," she said. However, she credited Mukerji's intense focus and professional energy for helping her settle into the role. "But your co-actors' energy helps you. She was so involved in her character that it set the tone on the set," Bodiwala explained.
She also shared a personal glimpse of Mukerji away from the cameras during the mahurat puja ceremony. "She was there with her family. She was exactly how we are with our families. There was no hint of her stardom," Bodiwala noted, highlighting the veteran actress's down-to-earth nature.
Bodiwala's Career Trajectory
This film marks Bodiwala's second Hindi-language project following her debut in 'Shaitaan', where she starred opposite Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan. Her acting journey began in Gujarati cinema with the 2015 film 'Chhello Divas', directed by Krishnadev Yagnik. She subsequently appeared in several Gujarati productions including:
- 'O! Taareee'
- 'Tamburo'
- 'Daud Pakad'
- 'Chhutti Jashe Chhakka'
- 'Tari Maate Once More'
- 'Bau Na Vichaar'
In 2022, she featured in Yagnik's 'Naadi Dosh' alongside Yash Soni, followed by 'Vash' in 2023. Her Hindi debut came in 2024 with Vikas Bahl's 'Shaitaan', a remake of 'Vash', where she reprised her role as Aarya under the screen name Jahnvi Rishi. The unexpected casting for 'Mardaani 3' represents another significant milestone in her evolving career, demonstrating how chance opportunities can lead to substantial professional achievements in the competitive world of Bollywood.
