Panic Peddlers : “Preying on Parents’ Fears?”

How Bollywood's Latest Stunt Twists Missing Kids Data into Box Office Buzz—and Why It's Backfiring Big Time.

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Panic Peddlers : “Preying on Parents’ Fears?”. In today’s digital world, social media is full of shocking stories that grab attention. But some of these are not real news—they are clever tricks to promote products, like movies. A new gimmick is using paid promotions to create fake panic about serious issues, such as missing children. This tactic spreads fear quickly to make people talk about a brand or film, boosting its popularity. It’s like shouting “fire” in a crowded room just to sell tickets.

By- Dr. Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Chief Editor http://indiainput.com

Take the recent case in India during January 2026. Viral videos and posts claimed over 800 children went missing in Delhi in just the first few weeks. Similar rumors said 82 kids disappeared in Mumbai in 36 days. These messages spread like wildfire on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, making parents worried and people angry. Hashtags like #missing trended, and many shared without checking facts.

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So the ‘800 missing children’ news from Delhi has now turned out to be fake, a pure publicity stunt.

Crying in theatres, screaming, and tearing clothes for film promotions had already become outdated, so Bollywood seems to have stooped to an even lower level this time.

To… pic.twitter.com/S0Cs2XsPMX

— Adarsh (@OpinionKraft) February 6, 2026

But police quickly stepped in. Mumbai Police called these claims false and misleading, saying they were twisted data to cause panic. They even filed cases against rumor-spreaders. Delhi Police clarified there was no sudden rise in missing cases—about 2,000 people go missing monthly in the city, which is normal, not a crisis. They urged people not to panic over “rumors.”

Why this gimmick? It timed perfectly with the release of Bollywood film Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji, which is about child trafficking. Accusations flew that Yash Raj Films (YRF) used paid promotions to hype the missing persons data, creating buzz for the movie. Delhi Police hinted the surge in posts was “pushed through paid promotion.” Even BJP leaders alleged it was a campaign to push the film. YRF denied any link, calling it baseless. But fact-checkers and users on X pointed out how old data was exaggerated to match the film’s theme, turning a real issue into a marketing stunt.

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Over the past week or so, several videos and me ssages circulating online claimed that 800 children had gone #missing in the first three weeks of January.#MumbaiPolice was the first to investigate the matter and found that false messages and rumours were being widely circulated pic.twitter.com/QM9hyoVfce

— BombayTimes (@bombaytimes) February 7, 2026

This tactic works because fear spreads fast online. Influencers and media get paid to share, reaching millions. It creates free publicity as people discuss and share. But the harm is real: it distracts from actual missing cases, erodes trust in police, and causes unnecessary stress. Thousands of women and children do go missing in India yearly—over 100,000 remain untraced long-term. Fake panics make it harder to focus on them.

To fight this, always check sources before sharing. Police and fact-check sites like Alt News can help. Governments should punish such stunts, as Mumbai Police is doing by filing FIRs. Paid promotions are fine for fun, but using sensitive topics like child safety for profit is wrong and dangerous. Let’s demand better from brands and stay alert to stop the panic machine.

SOURCE :

https://mumbaipolice.gov.in

http://x.com

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