Yash Raj Films' next, Mardaani 2 (2019), has a trailer that is as chilling as it is discomforting. Featuring Rani Mukerji in the role of the tough, no-nonsense cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, the trailer offers a precise narrative of the thriller directed by Gopi Puthran, who also wrote Mardaani (2014).
The trailer begins with a chilling snippet of a brutal rape in Kota, Rajasthan, the city that drives engineering and medical education in India. The severity of the case calls for the arrival of Shivani Shivaji Roy (Mukerji).
Shocked by the brutality of the murder, Roy promises to drag the killer "by his collar". Triggered by the threat, the murderer sets off on a spree, challenging Roy to stop him. With lives at stake and a cold-blooded killer on the loose, the trailer sets up an intriguing cat-and-mouse chase.
Cut sharply, with shocking visuals that are disturbing as much as they are intriguing, the trailer holds promise for Gopi Puthran's directorial debut. Mukerji looks the part of the tough cop but adds a touch of vulnerability to her role, unlike in the first film.
Like the original, the second promises a ruthless villain, one who maintains his secrecy throughout the trailer. While there are sneak peeks at the profile, the true face of the killer is never revealed.
The end sequence of Mukerji's Roy going face to face with the villain makes for a chilling cut and leaves you with bated breath.
Gopi Puthran's film is due to be released on 13 December. Watch the trailer below, and let us know if you are keen to watch the film.