Entertainment Desk:

Last December, Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji announced that she is set to reprise her role of Shivani Shivaji Roy for “Mardaani 3”. Over two months on, director Abhiraj Minawala—who previously helmed “Loveyatri” (2018)—has kicked off its pre-production. We’ve heard that the makers are currently conducting look tests for key characters, with the director planning to call action on the cop caper by June.

While the film franchise is synonymous with Mukerji, the past two instalments have also given us memorable antagonists in Tahir Raj Bhasin and Vishal Jethwa. It is learnt that the makers are scouting for an actor who can bring a similar menacing quality to the third part’s antagonist. A source reveals, “The team at Yash Raj Films is deep into pre-production. The screenplay is being fine-tuned and look tests are underway.