A wave of social media posts claiming a sudden surge in missing girls in Delhi has been traced by Delhi Police to paid online promotions that authorities say were creating unwarranted public panic and may be linked in public perception to the recently released Bollywood film Mardaani 3.

The film’s makers, Yash Raj Films (YRF), have categorically denied using real missing persons data for promotional purposes, saying such allegations are baseless and that they adhere to ethical, transparent marketing practices.

Police have warned that individuals or groups spreading misleading information for financial gain could face strict action, while YRF reaffirmed its trust in police and authorities and rejected claims that its campaign sensationalised a sensitive social issue.

The controversy has heightened public debate on the responsibilities of filmmakers, social media platforms, and news consumers.

Police Warn Against Paid Panic; Studio Rejects Promotional Link

On February 6, the Delhi Police issued a strong advisory after tracking posts on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms that cited data suggesting over 800 people – including many girls – had gone missing in the first half of January in the national capital.

Police clarified that while the underlying official data is real, there is no unusual surge in missing-person cases compared with historical averages, and the way the data was presented online was misleading and fear-inducing. “After following a few leads, we discovered that the hype around the surge in missing girls in Delhi is being pushed through paid promotion.

Creating panic for monetary gains won’t be tolerated, and we’ll take strict action against such individuals,” the Delhi Police said in its official statement on X.

That statement triggered widespread online speculation linking the controversy to Mardaani 3, a crime thriller starring Rani Mukerji that focuses on the hunt for missing girls and human trafficking.

Critics and social media users suggested that the timing and subject matter of the film’s promotions may have overlapped with these viral posts, fuelling alarm among audiences and netizens.

However, Yash Raj Films (YRF) has strongly refuted any such connections. In a statement, a YRF spokesperson said the company, a five-decade-old production house, stands on “principles of being highly ethical and transparent” and “strongly deny the accusations floating on social media that Mardaani 3’s promotional campaign has deliberately sensationalised a sensitive issue like this.

Any association of our campaign with these reported data is unfounded.” The studio added that it places “immense trust” in authorities to share verified facts with the public.

How the Controversy Unfolded

The spike in online sharing began after a PTI news agency report citing official Delhi Police records noted that 807 people had gone missing in the capital between January 1 and 15 this year.

The figures included both adults and minors, but when taken out of the broader context of monthly averages – which police say hover around similar numbers – the data was misrepresented as a sudden alarming trend.

Social media influencers and unverified channels helped amplify these numbers, often without context, prompting widespread anxiety among users who feared a rise in abductions and organised crime.

Investigators noted that several posts were paid promotions, meaning they were sponsored to reach larger audiences, although the origin and motive behind those paid campaigns remain the subject of ongoing inquiry.

Police have reportedly initiated a probe into the promoters and may pursue legal action under relevant laws if misinformation or panic-mongering is proven.

Public reactions, both supportive and critical, have spread across online forums and platforms. Some users have accused film marketers of exploiting real issues for publicity, while others push back, noting that the underlying numbers and societal issues are real, even if the way they were circulated was problematic.

Independent commentary has highlighted how digital misinformation can distort public perception and erode trust between citizens and institutions.

Meanwhile, Mardaani 3 itself opened in theatres on 30 January 2026 and has earned several crores at the box office, with many viewers and critics praising Rani Mukerji’s performance and the film’s gripping narrative.

Its plot centres on a tough police officer’s battle to rescue missing girls from a trafficking network – a storyline that coincidentally mirrors the subject matter of the viral online posts that triggered the controversy.

Film Marketing, Public Anxiety and Broader Responsibilities

Experts say the Mardaani 3 episode underlines deeper issues about how cinema, data and social media interact in India’s digital age. Films that tackle sensitive social problems – such as human trafficking, child safety and gender-based violence – can play an important role in raising awareness and sparking public conversation.

But when real statistics about vulnerable populations are circulated without full context, the result can be misinformation, fear and confusion rather than informed dialogue.

Delhi Police’s emphasis that there has been no spike beyond historical norms suggests that the data itself should not have caused panic, but the manner in which it spread points to larger challenges in how citizens consume and share information.

Many analysts argue for greater media literacy, urging consumers to critically evaluate viral claims and seek official verification before drawing conclusions.

At the same time, questions remain about the responsibility of film producers and marketers when real issues are echoed in fiction – especially if public perceptions link promotions with unrelated viral narratives.

YRF’s denial highlights that the studio is distancing itself from the controversy, but the broader debate continues about ethical boundaries in promotional strategies for films that draw on real-world problems.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we recognise both the power and the perils of storytelling in shaping public consciousness. Films like Mardaani 3 can shed light on critical social issues and initiate vital discussions, but this power must be balanced with responsibility, transparency and respect for the lived realities of affected individuals and communities.

Misinformation – whether intentional or accidental – can deepen public anxiety and divert attention from solutions that matter: supporting missing persons’ families, strengthening law enforcement responses, and educating communities on safety and digital literacy.

We encourage filmmakers, media platforms and authorities to collaborate on ethical guidelines that protect public trust and foster constructive awareness without sensationalism.