‘It was her demeanour’: Rani Mukerji on why Mallika Prasad’s Amma stands apart in ‘Mardaani 3’

‘Mardaani 3,’ one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, is set to hit theaters on January 30. Starring Rani Mukerji in the lead, the action-thriller promises a darker and more intense chapter in the franchise. While Shivani Shivaji Roy remains the moral core of the story, it is the chilling presence of Amma, played by Mallika Prasad, that has truly stood out in the trailer. Recently in an interview, Rani Mukerji spoke about Mallika.In an interview with New Indian Express, she talked about the casting process and revealed that the final call always rests with Aditya Chopra. She stressed that suitability matters more than background. As Rani said, "I don't think he casts on the basis of who these people are and where they come from. Apart from him, there is also Shanoo (casting director Shanoo Sharma), the director, and me. It has to be bang on for everybody." Praising Mallika, she added, "For Mallika, I think it was just her demeanor. She really fit like a glove into the part of Amma. She is also a very accomplished theatre artist, so that really added to the whole thing." The actor made it clear that Amma’s menace comes from restraint, intelligence, and psychological control.‘Mardaani’ has always been known for strong antagonists. From Tahir Raj Bhasin in the first film to Vishal Jethwa in the sequel, the bar has remained high. With Amma, the franchise takes a sharper turn. She is a calculating “beggar-mafia queen” who runs a vast child trafficking network.In the film, Shivani Shivaji Roy, now with the National Investigation Agency, investigates the disappearance of over 90 young women. Each clue pulls her closer to Amma’s hidden empire.Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, 'Mardaani 3' features Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy and Mallika Prasad as Amma, along with Janki Bodiwala, Jisshu Sengupta, Anil George, and Priyanka Sharma.