As her movie, Mardaani 2 is raking in the moolah at the box office, Rani Mukerji introduced the debutant Vishal Jethwa and the director Gopi Puthran of her film at a press conference in Andheri, Mumbai. All pictures/Yogen Shah

Rani Mukerji's Mardaani 2 is riding on incredible appreciation from audiences and critics alike! Inspired by shocking true crimes against women by juveniles, the film has shocked and gripped the nation with its brilliant storyline. The edge-of-the-seat thriller sees Rani in a race against time to capture a brutal serial rapist who systematically targets women.

In picture: Rani Mukerji looked pretty in her red pantsuit as she attended the Mardaani 2 event at YRF Studios in Andheri.

Mardaani 2 released in 1600 screens and witnessed a big growth again on day 3 as it collected 7.80 crore nett - that's more than double of its first-day collection of 3.80 crore nett! The total collection of this riveting thriller is now at 18.15 crore nett.

She may play a tough-as-nails cop in Mardaani 2, but mention daughter Adira and Rani Mukerji turns mushy. While talking about her daughter Adira for Neha Dhupia's podcast, No Filter Neha, Rani said, "I understood what true love is when I had Adira. It would matter to me if my husband [Aditya Chopra] didn't reciprocate my love, but it doesn't matter if Adira loves me or not. My affection for her is unconditional." It is evident that the little one has Mukerji wrapped around her little finger as she laughs, "More than my husband, I can be manipulated by Adira."

In picture: Rani Mukerji pinches her Mardaani 2 co-star Vishal Jethwa's cheeks at the event.

Rani Mukerji, who had taken a three-year sabbatical, before Hichki (2018), credits her husband Aditya Chopra for her return to the big screen. "He told me that I should not let go of my individuality. He pushed me to read scripts; that is how Hichki happened. Women need supportive husbands at that point [post pregnancy] because it is in our nature to sacrifice."

Rani Mukerji's latest release Mardaani 2 revolves around rape cases committed by juveniles in India, said she has always been aware of the projects she takes up. "If you get love, respect and adulation from your country, somewhere down the line you become responsible. But again, there is a thin line between being responsible and also satisfying your creative juices," Rani told PTI.

Rani Mukerji further said sometimes actors can face a dilemma between choosing to play a certain character on screen and making films with a social message. "Sometimes you would want to play a negative character to see that side of yourself, to see if you can pull off that character. That might not be a socially silver lining film for your career. It would just be something you want to do. As an actor, if there is a good balance, it's a great thing and I have been able to achieve that throughout my career. I have done all kinds of films," she added.

In picture: Rani Mukerji with Vishal Jethwa and Gopi Puthran at YRF Studios in Andheri.