Mumbai: After an expected but average opening on Friday, Mardaani 3 showed signs of growth at the box office on Saturday, keeping its overall prospects alive. The film starring Rani Mukerji had already earned about 4 crore on its first day and the performance on Saturday was significant in pushing the opening weekend nearer to the 18 to 20 crore mark.
As a content based commercial movie, Mardaani 3 relies on weekend momentum. A stronger jump on Saturday would have placed the film in a more comfortable position, but the actual numbers indicate a steady, though slightly cautious, rise.
Saturday Growth Brings Relief, But More Was Expected
On Saturday, Mardaani 3 earned approximately Rs. 5.75 to 6 crore nett at the Indian box office. This marks a growth of nearly 50 percent from its Friday collection, which is considered decent for this genre. Although the jump to a higher price of around Rs. 6.5 or 7 crore would have given the film even more strength, the given performance still leaves the lifetime potential of the movie intact.
The positive aspect is that the film did not remain flat. With Saturday collections remaining at about Rs. 4.5 to 5 crore, the overall run might have had a hard time making it to Rs. 30 crore. Rather, the increase will make the film stay in the box, though the following days will be decisive.
At the end of two days, Mardaani 3 stands at a total of approximately Rs. 9.60 crore nett. The first weekend is now expected to close around Rs. 16 crore nett, provided Sunday maintains a stable trend.
Comparison With Mardaani 2 and the Road Ahead
When compared to Mardaani 2, the growth is slightly lower. The previous movie had seen a better jump on a Saturday, approximately 75 percent, and it was succeeded by an approximate 20 percent rise on Sunday. Mardaani 3 might not be able to replicate that trend, but any small increase on Sundays would put the film in a respectable position.
For the film to stay healthy, a solid hold on Monday will be important. If it manages that, Mardaani 3 could reach around Rs. 24 crore nett by the end of its first week.
Although Mardaani 3 may end up with a lower first week compared to its predecessor, it has a clear advantage in the coming weeks. Unlike Mardaani 2, which faced heavy competition from films like Dabangg 3 and Good Newwz in its second and third weeks, the current release calendar is relatively lighter. This will increase the likelihood of this film not only to maintain but also to potentially exceed lifetime business of Mardaani 2.
Controlled Budget Works in Film’s Favour
One major positive for Mardaani 3 is its controlled budget. Even though the cost of production has risen sharply throughout the industry and most films are now priced twice or even thrice higher than in the previous years, Mardaani 3 has kept its expenses under check. Its budget is relatively low, as it is about 2 times more than Mardaani 2.
Strong non theatrical recoveries further support the film’s business prospects. The respectable opening on Friday also provided a stable base, making the Saturday growth more meaningful.
Overall, Mardaani 3 has taken a steady step forward at the box office. Although a larger push would have been better, the movie is still in the race, and it is now up to the word of mouth and weekday holds to determine its long term performance.
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