Yash Raj Films (YRF), the makers of Rani Mukerji-starrer Mardaani 3, on Friday issued a statement denying any role in the viral news piece about more than 800 people going missing in just 15 days in Delhi.
"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," YRF told Indian Express.
This comes after the film's makers were targeted online by a huge number of netizens claiming that YRF had paid to amplify the news about the missing people, as a part of promotions for the film, which deals with the sensitive topic of child trafficking.
Notably, these allegations had intensified after the Delhi Police on Friday morning issued a strongly worded statement about the massive social media hype around the missing cases. The post specifically used the term "paid promotion" without calling out YRF directly.
"Creating panic for monetary gains won't be tolerated, and we'll take strict action against such individuals," the Delhi Police's X post read.
While they did not refute the figures cited online—more than 800 missing between January 1 to 15, of which about 500 were women and children—they flagged the way in which these figures suddenly seemed to pop up everywhere online, and soon causing full-blown panic.
The report added that the numbers also did not indicate any spike in the number of missing persons cases, as it was close to the average rate itself.
Despite the YRF response clearing the air a little, the Delhi Police continues to probe the paid social media campaign behind the panic.