YRF announces next chapter in 'Mardaani' franchise, Rani Mukerji to return as cop

Production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) said on Thursday that a third installment in the action thriller "Mardaani" franchise, fronted by Rani Mukerji, is in the works.

The banner was announced on the 10th release anniversary of the first "Mardaani" film, which was directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar.

Rani will reprise her role of the tough cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in the next chapter, which the makers stated in a new video is "coming soon".

In an Instagram post, YRF said: "10 years of #Mardaani and the next chapter awaits...

"Celebrating the feisty, daredevil cop #ShivaniShivajiRoy and the spirit of #Mardaani today. Thank you for a decade of love and appreciation for our beloved franchise. Again, we are inspired. Thanks to you. #RaniMukerji"

Released on August 22, 2014, "Mardaani" was a commercial and critical hit. Its success spawned a sequel, titled "Mardaani 2". The 2019 film was directed by debutant director Gopi Puthran, who wrote the first film.