Mardaani 3 Box Office Collection Day 1: A Familiar Start After Seven-Year Gap
Rani Mukerji's much-anticipated cop drama, Mardaani 3, has hit theatres with a box office performance that echoes its predecessor's opening. Released on Friday after a seven-year hiatus since Mardaani 2, the film's day 1 collection in India stands at ₹3.80 crore net, precisely replicating the opening-day figures of Mardaani 2 from 2019. This indicates no significant growth for the franchise despite the extended gap between installments.
Occupancy Patterns Show Gradual Improvement Through the Day
Despite facing stiff competition from the ongoing war drama Border 2, Mardaani 3 managed an overall occupancy of 18.01% on its opening Friday. The day began modestly with morning shows registering 8.97% occupancy. This figure saw a steady climb as the day progressed, reaching 14.78% in afternoon shows and 17.13% during evening screenings. The most promising response came during night shows, where occupancy surged to 31.14% as footfalls increased in late-evening slots across theatres nationwide.
Screen Presence and Regional Distribution
Mardaani 3 secured a broad release across India with significant screen presence in key metropolitan markets. The film recorded its highest show count in the Delhi NCR region, followed closely by Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Other important markets contributing to the film's footprint included Bengaluru with 236 shows, Surat with 172 shows, and Hyderabad with 167 shows. This distribution strategy ensured the film reached audiences across multiple regions, though with varying intensity.
Border 2 Continues to Dominate Theatre Screens
The primary competitor, Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, maintains a stronghold in theatres even after completing its first week. On its eighth day, Border 2 raked in an impressive ₹11 crore, significantly overshadowing Mardaani 3's opening. In terms of screen presence, Border 2's dominance is evident across all major regions:
- Delhi NCR: Border 2 had 1,273 shows versus Mardaani 3's 526 shows
- Mumbai: Border 2 ran 858 shows compared to Mardaani 3's 381 shows
- Ahmedabad: Border 2 enjoyed 637 shows against Mardaani 3's 279 shows
This pattern continues in other regions including Pune, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Surat, where Border 2 consistently maintains a wider presence. Mardaani 3, in contrast, opened with a more limited release, particularly in mass belt regions.
Mardaani Franchise Box Office Legacy
Mardaani 3 represents the third installment in Rani Mukerji's successful cop franchise. The journey began with:
- Mardaani (2014): Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, the film collected ₹35.65 crore net as lifetime earnings
- Mardaani 2 (2019): Directed by Gopi Puthran, this became the franchise's biggest hit with ₹47.35 crore net in India, making it the second-highest earning film in Rani Mukerji's career
Mardaani 3 holds special significance as it marks Rani Mukerji's 30 years in the film industry. The film is backed by Aditya Chopra's prestigious Yash Raj Films, adding to the production pedigree.
Weekend Prospects and Trade Predictions
Film trade analysts predict that Mardaani 3 is likely to see improved performance during the weekend. The night show surge on opening day suggests potential for growth as word-of-mouth spreads and more audiences find time for cinema visits during Saturday and Sunday. However, the continued dominance of Border 2 in screen count presents an ongoing challenge that the cop drama must overcome to achieve substantial box office success.
