3 minutes of readingNew DelhiFebruary 6, 2026 04:27 pm IST
Anyone who has seen Mardaani 3 knows that this time, the makers focused the film on the sensitive issue of child trafficking. Coinciding with the film’s release and promotions, reports circulated claiming that more than 800 people had gone missing in just 15 days in Delhi, sparking panic. The figures were widely circulated on social media, amplified by various influencers, and soon turned into full-blown panic among the public.
The situation escalated to a point where Delhi The police had to intervene. While police did not deny the authenticity of the data itself, they expressed concern about the way the issue was being projected online. In a strongly worded statement, authorities claimed that the narrative was being pushed through ‘paid promotions’ for monetary gains, leading to speculation that the comment was an indirect reference to the promotional campaign of Mardaani 3. Amid the growing chatter, Yash Raj Films (YRF) has now broken its silence and issued a statement.
What YRF said
Responding to the allegations, a YRF spokesperson stated, “Yash Raj Films is a 50-year-old company founded on the core principles of being highly ethical and transparent. We strongly deny the allegations floating on social media that the promotional campaign of Mardaani 3 has deliberately sensationalized a sensitive issue like this. We have immense confidence that our authorities will share all the facts and truths in due time.”
How the reports of the ‘800 missing people’ began
A few days ago, a PTI report claimed that more than 800 people went missing in Delhi during the first 15 days of 2026. The report sparked widespread alarm and intense online debate. Before this, social media had already been flooded with posts claiming that around 60 girls had gone missing in Bombay within 36 days, a claim later dismissed as false by the Mumbai Police.
Soon after, the data from Delhi, based on official records, was picked up by several media outlets and widely shared across platforms, reigniting fears about women’s safety.
Delhi Police points out ‘paid promotions’
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Police further clarified that while the data is accurate, the figures are consistent with historical averages and do not indicate any sudden or abnormal increase.
Why Mardaani 3 was dragged into controversy
Following the police statement, several content creators and influencers suggested that the alleged paid promotions were related to Mardaani 3, given the film’s theme involving kidnapping of girls for scientific experimentation.
An influencer commented, “Look at the coincidence: Mardaani 3 is based on mass disappearances of girls and at the same time, news of 800 girls going missing emerges.” Calling it “cheap advertising,” such claims further fueled online speculation.
However, with YRF categorically denying any involvement, the matter remains under scrutiny as authorities investigate the source behind the paid amplification of the issue.