Amidst a plethora of new releases, Mardaani 3, the Rani Mukerji starrer that released on January 30, has held its own at the box office. The action-thriller hit the 50 crore mark at domestic box office recently, also crossing the 75 crore mark worldwide. On the occasion, Rani spoke about the film’s success proves the power of female-led films at box office.

In an official statement, Rani said, “This milestone is much bigger than numbers. It sends a message to the industry that content with purpose, anchored by a strong female protagonist, can stand shoulder to shoulder with hero-driven films and it tells filmmakers that investing in female-led stories is not a risk - it’s an opportunity.”

Reflecting upon the success of the Mardaani franchise, the actor said, “For me, this marks expanding what heroism looks like in Indian cinema. In terms of significance, such a success is a necessity for cinema because we have to make different films and definitely put a woman at the forefront of such cinema.”

Talking about her much-loved character from the franchise, the actor said, “Shivani Shivaji Roy was not written as a ‘female version’ of anything. She is simply a hero - defined by integrity, courage and empathy. She is equal to her male counterparts. I think audiences’ connection with Shivani for 12 years now reflects an idea of strength and resilience that is empowering for women and for society at large. Where courage is not about how loudly you roar but how consistently you stand your ground. Perhaps that’s why she stands out.”

With no big theatrical releases lined up for next three weeks, Mardaani 3 is expected to add a few more crores to its box office collections. Produced by Yash Raj Films, Mardaani 3 is directed by Abhiraj Minawala.