EXCLUSIVE: Rani Mukerji returns in 'Mardaani 2'

Rani Mukerji wowed critics and audiences alike with her brilliant performance as the feisty cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in the hit thriller Mardaani (2014). As a Senior Inspector of the Mumbai Crime Branch, she brought to book the kingpin of a child-trafficking racket. Four years later, it’s now official that Yash Raj Films is making a sequel, hus paving the way for the Mardaani franchise.

The studio, which believes in giving opportunities to talented directors, will launch Gopi Puthran with Mardaani 2. Produced by Rani’s filmmaker husband Aditya Chopra, this will be the light-eyed actress’ next venture after Hichki, her comeback post motherhood that not only earned acclaim but also fared well commercially.

Rani exclaims, “Mardaani is and will always be extremely close to my heart. Since its release, everyone has asked me time and again when I would be doing Mardaani 2 and I’m sure this announcement will come as a pleasant surprise to all of them. Gopi has written an extraordinary script and I can’t wait to start shooting this film soon.”

Talking about the villain with whom she will have a clash in the sequel, the award-winning star says, “Shivani will face a cold, merciless villain, who has no empathy, no fear of God and who is pure evil. The character has been written superbly and I’m excited to find out which actor will play the antagonist.”

The edge-of-the-seat entertainer is set to go on floors early 2019 and is scheduled to release in the latter half of the year.