If you take out the unnecessary woman-on-top chanting in the end, Mardaani is a fine cop drama that brings two Bengalis back in the Bollywood game — Pradeep Sarkar and Rani Mukerji.

There are plenty of applaud worthy moments in Mardaani and barring a few manipulative and exploitive scenes, which should have been left on the editing table, this is a reasonably smooth ride.

Rani’s mardaani Shivani is a close second to Sarfarosh’s Ajay Rathod and that is saying something. In spite of a couple of flaws, this is still a very good movie to have come out in a long time. It’s definitely worth a watch.

That the trailers of Mardaani were disappointing could be a blessing in disguise. But for the climax, it is an understated and relatively agreeable mainstream film—manipulative but not exploitative—that thankfully falls short of sensationalizing a serious issue.

Right from the gimmicky Mardaani national anthem (that has been playing at PVR cinemas) to tasteless scenes of little girls being turned into sex slaves, to the penultimate shot of Mukerji walking away from the action in slow-motion like she was in a Telugu action film remake, the film piggybacks on a social issue without being as sensitive as it wants its characters to be.

Irony dies a painful death when a film against exploitation, does exactly that.

Mardaani is too ordinary a film for an emotional and disturbing issue like sex trafficking. It leaves the viewer unaffected and fails to inspire the women to revolt, which is what the film ought to have done. At the box-office, it will not be able to make its mark. A section of the evolved and women audience will like it for the intention behind the film but that won’t be enough for the film to succeed at the ticket windows.

Handsomely helmed by Pradeep Sarkar and terrifically performed by Rani Mukherjee, ‘Mardaani’ is a fiercely arresting action thriller that holds the flag of women power high. Must watch.

This film deserves to be seen – for Rani’s and Tahir Bhasin’s acting; to learn about the ugly truth that is human trafficking; and for the brilliant portrayal of a lady cop’s true grit.

The movie Mardaani offers quite a number of twists and surprises which will keep the viewers’ eyeballs excited and some catchy dialogues will do the same with the ears.
In a nutshell, Rani Mukerji as Shivani Sivaji Roy in Mardaani seems capable enough to shy away several other ‘Mard’ cops in Bollywood.

Mardaani is a better commercial film than most and Sarkar’s best film since Parineeta. However, if there is one solid reason to watch this movie, it’s Bhasin’s Walter-White-as-played-by-Seth-Green act. The young actor, who was impressive even in his brief appearance in One By Two earlier this year, seems like a talent to watch out for. Next time, hopefully, he’ll have more meat to chew on.

The movie’s sexist title suggests that she has masculine qualities of bravery and honour, but the best proof of her macho side is her indifferent relationship with her spouse. Not unlike the average Indian husband, Shivani prefers the company of others, in this case her co-workers, her orphaned niece, and a teenager, Pyari, who sells flowers at traffic signals. The abduction of this flower girl by a sex trafficking ring deeply upsets Shivani, who launches a personal crusade to save Pyari and whoever else might be in the room at that moment.

Brevity is sorely missing as the film could have been shorter. But then, at a time when there’s rampant violence against women, Mardaani gives a glimpse of what should ideally happen.

This movie could have continuous recall had the pace been racier. And if you could also buy into the emotional tracks between Shivani and her husband, her niece or her ward. Also, Rani is the only member of the cast with star value. The rest of the actors, including the English-speaking young goon, are inconsequential.

…despite its Adults Only certification, doesn’t spend much time in dingy bedrooms, or with the girls. Though it lectures and breathes heavy sometimes, it’s more interested in the men who run these rackets — men you may see hanging out at a coffee shop, or jogging in your colony park.

Mardaani is not a perfect film, but it’s better than many of the blockbusters Bollywood churns out regularly. It’s a well-made commercial Hindi film – reasonably short and minus songs – that’s trying to say something. Whatever else, you won’t be bored.

If you are tired of the nonsensical action, and over-the-top drama, `Mardaani` is the film for you. The movie has the power to invoke thought and subjects you to question the ultimately ineffective candle light vigils that need to now metamorphose to a more powerful resistance to lawless cruelty and nip crime at its bud.

Mardaani is a complete package. You will not mind spending your hard earned money on Mardaani. Thumbs up from us.

Rani Mukerji gives the Singhams and Dabanggs a tough competition as she cracks the whip in this Pradeep Sarkar film that entertains in a ‘filmi’ way. If you are a Rani Mukerji’s fan, then you cannot miss out this one.

A stellar cast only adds to this accomplished film’s sense of creative propriety.

Mardaani is a film that makes all the correct noises about child trafficking. And by “correct noises” I do mean the soundtrack which is among the most evocative provocative and satisfying in recent times.

You’re bored to death wondering when the heroine will just morph into a female Salman and get on with it. Oh, she does, but only very briefly. Ah okay. Then what’s the point.

…irrespective of all it’s cliches Mardaani serves well towards Rani’s career graph. A definite watch if you are a Rani fan, Mardaani is an average revenge-action cop flick.

Post-interval, the story derails considerably. By the time we get to the climax, we are fully in avenging angel territory. And, just like in Singham Returns last week, the solutions suggested are problematic.
Which is a shame, because this could have been so much better. In the rating above, one star is for Rani who, like fine wine, is only getting better.

Mardaani is a narrative that leaves you rattled and perturbed, yet it gives you hope of a better tomorrow. If you like watching good content and good performances on screen, go for this one!

You can watch Mardaani for all the wrong reasons and feel underwhelmed. Don’t watch it for Rani Mukerji trying to be a Salman Khan. She’s not. Don’t watch it for true grit or precise realism; this is still a dialogue driven entertainer. Don’t watch it for song and dance, there isn’t any. Watch it for thrills; watch it with a pro-feminist stance. And you could find the right perspective.

MARDAANI is a must watch. It’s an edge-of-the-seat thriller that catapults you right into the middle of the plot. The execution is near flawless and it takes you a while to realize that this is a film on child trafficking.

Yes, more and more films need to be made on such issues. Yes, Mardaani is a decent film. Alas, the issue is not what you come out thinking about. I wonder if there were censor cuts that took away bits that were needed to get us more involved with those who suffered. But, meanwhile, this will do. And go give, Lakshmi a watch too. Note, I am not saying instead, I am saying both. Each has a different approach – only that one is worth a watch and the other ought to be watched.

A taut thriller that makes you look within.

We have an interesting film with an inspiring hero, a menacing villain that you personally want to thrash, and a story that touches your heart. All this, and Rani Mukerji! More reasons to watch, than not!

Once you’re done soaking in all the awesomeness that the seasoned actress brings in to her character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, you will notice everything else, from the ambience, the shots, the other actors. Having said that, it’s the taut story that engages you through the film’s complete runtime – the real heroine, the real star of the show. Kudos to the complete team!

It starts slow but you soon find yourself getting involved, as the hunt for the missing girl begins. It is not an easy film to watch. It is brutal and it takes you into a world, you would rather pretend does not exist. Mardaani holds more than a few surprises.

Mardaani’s philosophy and message are conveyed to some extent. It may be liked due to its women oriented theme, but I don’t think it would give any impetus to the process of women empowerment. Watch it if you have been a Rani fan, but don’t look for any depth in the story.

Mardaani is not a usual Yashraj film but a good one to switch tracks and attempt something different. Filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar deserves a pat on his back for this one. He not just gets the best performances out of his cast but keeps his focus right making Mardaani a great watch.

Book your tickets for Mardaani and watch Rani Mukherji in action. She will blow your mind!

The display of the ‘trafficked’ girls teeters on the voyeuristic. The resolution, showcasing bloody vigilante-ism, is problematic. Is that the only definition of ‘mardaani’, and is that something to be celebrated? Something more pragmatic, and yes, more real, would have served its consistently watchable leading lady, better.

Faux feminism aside, Mardaani is mostly a middling action thriller. If only the script weighed more in intensity of thoughts than stagy heroics and simplistic resolutions, it could do a lot more for women in the film industry if not society in general.

Mardaani is obviously Rani Mukerji’s film and she dominates the show all the way through. But a few of the other actors, too, are given enough space to make a mark. Because Shivani Shivaji Roy is not your average action ‘hero’, she might not appeal to Dabangg junkies. But for everyone else, Mardaani could be well worth a trip to the multiplex.

…is relevant, powerful and inspiring with a top notch performance by Rani Mukerji. Worth a watch!

I am quite proud to say that the roaring lady rules the show in Mardaani and with aplomb. Despite the film unraveling with as much wit and creativity as was expected of it, the movie is an attempt to alter the fare of commercial cinema, giving it a more real tinge. It might not be a brilliant film but it is a film that is better than good and must govern your attention for the theme it raises. It is a powerful film that seldom goes wrong and leaves by a message that must be heard. A big shout out to Team Mardaani.

It’s not in the same league as ‘Kahaani’ or ‘English Vinglish’, but it still deserves applause for attempting to portray a movie minus Bollywood’s trademark frills. With so much going for ‘Mardaani’, it’s unfortunate that its filmmakers failed to pull it through. That said, we still think it deserves a trip to the cinema just because it’s a step in the right direction.