Mardaani 3 Director Abhiraj Minawala Credits Yash Chopra for Inspiring Lifelong Learning Ethos
As the highly anticipated film Mardaani 3 garners widespread acclaim for its intense narrative and compelling subject matter, director Abhiraj Minawala has opened up about the profound influence of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra on his creative journey. The movie features Rani Mukerji in a commanding reprisal of her iconic role as fearless police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy, delivering a performance that anchors the franchise with renewed power and depth.
Lessons from a Legend: Yash Chopra's Enduring Curiosity and Humility
In a recent reflection, Minawala highlighted the invaluable lessons he absorbed while assisting Yash Chopra on the 2012 romantic drama Jab Tak Hai Jaan. He emphasized that true artists never cease evolving, a principle he witnessed firsthand on set with the veteran director. Despite his advanced age and decades of monumental success, Yash Chopra remained remarkably curious and deeply engaged with every aspect of filmmaking.
Abhiraj Minawala recalled, "I think a sign of a great actor, artist, or technician is that you never stop learning and you never stop working on your craft. I got the chance to learn this from Mr. Yash Chopra himself when I assisted him on Jab Tak Hai Jaan."
Minawala expressed admiration for Chopra's humility and relentless work ethic, noting how the iconic filmmaker continuously asked questions and absorbed new ideas from technicians and collaborators. He added, "I used to see an 80-year-old man on set not just run the show, but also learn and ask questions to technicians. I've seen a lot of actors do that — Shah Rukh Khan as well — and I've seen Rani ma'am do that too. When you come to set every day knowing that you're collaborating with different people and that you're also going to have a learning experience, that openness helps your performance."
Collaborative Vision: Shaping Mardaani 3 with Rani Mukerji
For Minawala, the process of building the world of Mardaani 3 was deeply collaborative, with Rani Mukerji at its core. Rather than attempting to reinvent the character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, the director focused on achieving a more profound understanding of her psyche and motivations. He dedicated significant time to discussing the role with Rani before filming commenced, ensuring their creative visions remained perfectly aligned.
Minawala explained, "Part of my prep process was that I just wanted to sit down with Rani Mukerji. I had read the story and worked on it in terms of my own breakdowns, learnings and understanding how she was seeing the film — not just as Rani Mukerji, but also how she was seeing it as Shivani."
The director emphasized the importance of crafting a realistic and natural environment around the character, ensuring Shivani felt grounded and authentic rather than overly heroic or theatrical. He stated, "How she saw herself in different spaces. That really helped me create the world around her. It was very important to keep a very natural and real space around her so that it feels seamless for the audience — not like a hero popping out in every scene. That was a very important thing for us."
About Mardaani 3: A Gripping Continuation of a Powerful Saga
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, Mardaani 3 continues the thrilling journey of Shivani Shivaji Roy as she investigates a deeply disturbing case involving the mysterious disappearance of dozens of young girls within a short timeframe. The film stars Rani Mukerji alongside talented actors Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad, promising an engaging and socially relevant cinematic experience.
The movie has been praised for its gripping storytelling and intense subject matter, resonating strongly with audiences and critics alike. Minawala's directorial approach, infused with lessons from Yash Chopra and a collaborative spirit with Rani Mukerji, has contributed significantly to the film's impactful narrative and emotional depth.
