Rani Mukerji has a New Enemy: Who is Mallika Prasad, the Terrifying “Amma” Everyone is Googling After Mardaani 3?
Mumbai, Thursday, February 12, 2026 — Everyone is talking about the return of the lioness, Rani Mukerji, but the real story that is setting the internet on fire isn’t just about the hero. It is about the woman standing on the other side of the law. If you have been on social media in the last 48 hours, you have definitely seen the name Mallika Prasad popping up everywhere.
She isn’t just another actress; she is the face of pure, calculated evil in the latest blockbuster, Mardaani 3.
For years, the Mardaani franchise has been famous for its legendary villains.
First, we had the smooth-talking Tahir Raj Bhasin.
Then came the chilling Vishal Jethwa.
But now, we have “Amma.” This is the first time the franchise has pitted a female antagonist against Shivani Shivaji Roy, and the results are absolutely terrifying. People are calling her the “Amma” of nightmares, and for a good reason.
The Mystery Behind the “Amma” Strategy
The most fascinating thing about this news is how Yash Raj Films (YRF) handled this reveal. Usually, Bollywood movies scream from the rooftops about their cast. They release posters, teasers, and “behind-the-scenes” clips months in advance to build hype. But for Mardaani 3, they did something totally different.
They kept Mallika Prasad hidden. They protected her identity like a state secret, ensuring that the audience would only feel her full impact when they finally sat in the dark theater and saw her on the big screen.
According to Bollywood Hungama, this was a very conscious strategy. Mallika herself recently revealed in an interview that the plan was to keep “Amma” under wraps until the timing was right for a surprise reveal. This “cloak and dagger” approach has clearly worked wonders. By withholding her from the initial trailers and posters, the makers created a massive curiosity gap. Now that the movie has been out for nearly two weeks, Mallika Prasad has officially become the most searched villain in India.
Who Exactly Is Mallika Prasad?
You might be wondering where this powerhouse performer came from. Mallika Prasad is not a newcomer who just stumbled onto a movie set. She is a veteran of the craft.
Born in Bangalore, she is a product of the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) and also holds a master’s degree from Goldsmiths College in London. Before she became the ruthless human trafficker “Amma,” she was a household name in the Kannada industry, known for her work in projects like Guptagamini and Mussanjaya Katha Prasanga.
A Villain Created by the System
Mallika’s portrayal of Amma is not just about being a “bad person.” In a recent conversation with IANS, she mentioned that her character is a product of systemic injustice.
She isn’t just a monster; she is a woman who was stripped of justice herself and eventually decided to thrive within a corrupt system. This depth is what makes her so scary. She doesn’t just shout or make angry faces. She operates with a calm, quiet menace that makes your skin crawl.
One of the most talked-about scenes involves her singing a lullaby to children. It sounds sweet on the surface, but when you realize she is the head of a massive kidnapping and begging syndicate in Bulandshahr, that same lullaby becomes bone-chilling.
The Battle of the Two Ranis
In Mardaani 3, the stakes are higher than ever. Shivani Shivaji Roy (played by Rani Mukerji) is now part of the NIA and is investigating the mysterious disappearance of 93 young girls in just three months. The confrontation between the two women is what drives the movie. Interestingly, Mallika Prasad revealed in an interview with India Forums that she and Rani Mukerji did not actually shoot most of their scenes together. This might come as a shock to fans who felt their chemistry was electric, but it just goes to show the power of great editing and individual performance.
While the movie has seen some mixed reviews regarding the second half, everyone agrees on one thing: Mallika Prasad has arrived. Even as the box office numbers show a steady collection of over ₹55 crore worldwide, the chatter about Amma continues to grow.
In my expert opinion, this is the best move the Mardaani series could have made. After two male villains, bringing in a female antagonist adds a psychological layer that we haven’t seen before. Mallika Prasad doesn’t rely on physical strength to be scary; she uses her presence. I think she has officially set a new standard for female villains in Indian cinema. If you haven’t seen her “evil boss music” scenes yet, you are missing out on one of the best performances of 2026.
Question For You: Who do you think was the scariest villain in the Mardaani series so far—Amma, Sunny, or Walt? Let me know in the comments!
🔥 Latest Box Office News
Join BoxOfficeWala
Get Box Office Updates Directly on Whatsapp from Your Personal Box Office Insider
