Fear swept through as viral social media posts claimed that over 800 girls went missing between January 1 and 15, 2026, which further ignited widespread panic across the nation’s capital. The timing, however, coincided with the theatrical release of Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji as a tenacious cop hunting down a child-trafficking syndicate.

Soon after, the controversy reached a fever pitch, with the Delhi Police intervening and declaring that the claims were driven by a paid PR campaign for monetary gain.

Paid PR Allegations

Delhi Police took to X and wrote, “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.”

Several content creators and influencers claimed that allegedly Paid PR promotions were linked to Rani Mukherjee starrer Mardaani 3, given that the film’s theme also involves a similar nuance, the kidnapping of young girls for scientific experimentation. Earlier, during the Saiyaara movie release, YRF was accused of Paid PR and over-the-top theatrics, with claims that people were paid to cry in theatres.

This is called ‘connecting dots’—but at times, connecting the dots does not always fall on the right momentum, because it often relies on hindsight bias, flawed assumptions and sometimes incomplete data. It is a powerful tool, but it can also lead to false conclusions and rustled-up, concocted narratives. However, it is also important that the relevant authorities take the necessary steps to uncover the truth and hold whoever is liable accountable.

YRF firmly denies claims

Yash Raj Films firmly denied the Paid PR allegations, stating, “Yash Raj Films is a 50-year-old company founded on the core principles of being highly ethical and transparent. We strongly deny the accusations floating on social media that Mardaani 3’s promotional campaign has deliberately sensationalised a sensitive issue like this. We have immense trust in our authorities that they will share all facts and truths in due course of time.”

About the missing people claims in Delhi

A report by PTI stated that over 800 people went missing in Delhi during the first 15 days of 2026. Some social media posts claimed that around 60 girls went missing in Mumbai within 36 days, which the Mumbai Police later termed as fake.

Why are films important?

The film raises an important issue: people do go missing in the country. While the film Mardaani 3 is a work of ‘fiction’, it also mirrors the bitter truth that humans go missing every day. Apparently, why art is important. Cinema is important—they help us look beyond.

A user comments under a post that declares that YRF has denied the claims of Paid PR, “Even if it is a PR campaign, it does not change the fact that 1000s of girls go missing every month in major cities across India. Delhi police themselves said 800 people went missing in 15 days of Jan. They are just saying that this is normal stats every month, and PR is hyping this stats. So what? This is even more fearsome, if it is a regular stats. Its too high. The police should be putting more efforts to secure the safety of women & girls in the nation, instead of playing blame games.” Another user says, “Mardani is a must watch movie, dealing with such a sensitive issue.”

Which brings us to a recent story by The Better India—of ASIs Nirdesh Panwar and Rajdeep. Where it is mentioned: In Delhi, 13 children go missing every single day. But for ASIs Nirdesh Panwar and Rajdeep, these aren’t “cases” — they’re someone’s child. In 11 months, they’ve brought 223 kids back home, travelling across states, chasing blurry photos, broken numbers, and fading hope. They start at 6 am and don’t stop until a family gets their child back. Because they know one truth: no parent should live with that silence. And it is followed by the reunion of the missing children and their families.

In today’s fleeting attention economy, the marketing and promotional needle have shifted many quarters. Any form of art, when focused on a sensitive subject and intended to create awareness for the better (which is much appreciated), uses negative or insensitive means to propagate the idea, defeating the very purpose of its genial stream of consciousness.
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However, in these trying and sensitive times, responsibility and sensitivity must be at the core of any decision-making.