Mardaani 3 controversy: YRF denies claims linking Rani Mukerji’s film promotions to ‘800 missing girls’ panic in Delhi

The weeks leading up to the release of Mardaani 3 were meant to be about tense trailers, gritty storytelling and Rani Mukerji’s return as the relentless Shivani Shivaji Roy. But, the conversation around Mardaani 3 took an unsettling turn. As promotions gathered pace, social media timelines were started flooded with alarming claims that more than 800 people had gone missing in Delhi within just 15 days. The figures were frightening and, for many, deeply personal. Parents panicked, neighbourhood WhatsApp groups lit up with warnings, and influencers amplified the data with ominous captions about safety in the capital.

Given that Mardaani 3 deals with child trafficking and organised crime, the overlap between the film’s theme and the viral statistics felt too close for comfort. Speculation snowballed at breakneck speed, eventually dragging the film’s producers into a controversy that had little to do with cinema and everything to do with how information travels online. With the narrative spiralling and fingers being pointed, Yash Raj Films has now stepped in to firmly reject any suggestion of foul play.

What Yash Raj Films said in response

Breaking its silence amid mounting online chatter, YRF issued a categorical denial. A spokesperson told SCREEN, “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.”

The statement sought to underline the studio’s long-standing reputation and distanced the film’s marketing from any attempt to exploit public fear. For a banner that has produced romantic blockbusters, hard-hitting social drama, and have explored all the genres, the suggestion of manufacturing panic struck a particularly raw nerve.

How the ‘800 missing people’ claims surfaced

The controversy traces back to a report by Press Trust of India, which mentioned that in 2026, over 800 people were reported missing in Delhi during the first 15 days of January. The data itself was sourced from official records, but the context was largely missing from how it travelled online. Numbers were stripped of nuance, headlines grew sharper, and posts began implying an unprecedented crisis.

This was not the first such scare in recent weeks. Earlier, claims that around 60 girls had gone missing in Mumbai within 36 days had gone viral, only for Mumbai Police to later dismiss them as misleading. Yet, despite that recent precedent, the Delhi figures reignited anxieties around women’s and children’s safety, proving once again how statistics, when shared without explanation, can take on a life of their own.

Delhi Police flags ‘paid promotions’ and warns against panic

As the situation escalated, Delhi Police issued a clarification on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The police stated that while the missing persons data was accurate, it was being projected in a manner that suggested a sudden spike, which was not the case. According to the authorities, the figures were consistent with historical averages.

More significantly, the police alleged that the online hype was being pushed through paid promotions. “Creating panic for monetary gains won’t be tolerated, and we’ll take strict action against such individuals,” the statement read. That single line about paid amplification was enough to set off a fresh round of speculation—this time linking the panic to the release of Mardaani 3.

Why Mardaani 3 was pulled into the narrative

Soon after the police statement, several influencers and content creators began drawing parallels between the viral data and the film’s storyline, which revolves around the abduction of young girls under the guise of scientific experimentation. Some called the timing “too convenient,” while others went as far as branding it “cheap publicity”.

One widely shared comment read, “Look at the coincidence—Mardaani 3 is based on mass disappearances of girls, and at the same time, news of 800 girls going missing surfaces.” Such assertions, though unverified, found traction in an ecosystem where outrage often travels faster than facts.

Interestingly, the Mardaani franchise has a history of tackling uncomfortable truths. The first film focused on human trafficking, while the second delved into sexual violence and vigilante justice. Both sparked debate but were rarely accused of manipulating real-world data—making the current controversy an unusual chapter in the series’ journey.

The larger issue: data, fear and digital amplification

Strip away the film and the rumours, and what remains is a sobering reminder of how easily fear can be manufactured in the age of algorithms. Missing persons data is complex, often involving runaways, family disputes and cases that are later resolved. Without context, however, raw numbers can appear terrifying.

While investigations continue into who paid for the amplification of these claims, YRF’s denial has drawn a clear line between cinema and the panic that unfolded online. For now, the spotlight has moved from fictional story about crime to a real discussion about responsibility—of influencers, platforms and audiences alike.