With Rs 38.9 crore in its kitty, Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani 2 has exceeded the lifetime earning of its 2014 prequel, despite stiff competition from Dabangg 3, and the setback that the industry is facing in the wake of the CAA protests.

"The film has succeeded because it deals with what women are facing today. If the material is bang on, we can create characters that have lasting impressions. The script, written by Gopi Puthran, was incredible," says the actor, adding that breathing life into a film that doesn't have any trappings of commercial cinema, was difficult.