Watch Out For: 'Mardaani'

A few startling facts:

• India is the world’s hub for child sex trafficking
• Nearly 40,000 children are abducted every year
• Every 8 minutes a girl child goes missing in India

Making a much-welcomed return to the silver screen in her most bold and challenging role to date, Rani Mukherjee sets a new benchmark in the emerging genre of female-centric offerings in Indian cinema, essaying the lead role in Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani, releasing worldwide on 22 August. 

Produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani is a raw, gritty and edge of the seat thriller that marks a distinct departure from lauded director Pradeep Sarkar’s signature style of filmmaking. Sure to receive unanimous plaudit from critics and audiences alike, Mardaani presents Indian cinema on a truly international level, with the widespread, social malaise of child trafficking at the heart of its narrative. Helming the film is a powerhouse performance by one of Indian cinema’s most accomplished actors as a fearless and incorruptible cop. Joining Rani Mukherjee onscreen is a seasoned supporting cast including Jishu Sengupta and Tahir Raj Bhasin. Adding a further dimension to the film’s dark mise en scene is a haunting soundtrack by Shantanu Moitra. 

Synopsis:
Shivani Shivaji Roy is an astute cop working in the Mumbai Crime Branch unit. Deft at picking up hidden clues and fearless in confronting hardened criminals, she is presented with a case that will change her life forever. 

When the mastermind behind a child trafficking mafia makes the mistake of kidnapping and smuggling outside the city a teenage girl who is like a daughter to her, Shivani embarks on an obsessive and relentless hunt for the girl. 

Fighting a war that has become personal, Shivani plunges herself into a seedy world of debauchery, cruel desires and exploitation. What follows is a deadly, cat and mouse game between a fearless cop and a young and ruthless mafia kingpin.

Setting a new benchmark in the emerging female-centric genre in Indian filmmaking on a world cinema platform, Rani Mukherjee champions her most challenging role to date in Yash Raj Films’ raw, gritty and topical thriller, Mardaani, releasing in cinemas worldwide on 22 August 2014.

Are you looking forward to Mardaani?