Mid-Day impact: Missing DN Nagar school friend found after 30 years, emotional reunion follows

Gazanfar Sayed

Two days after mid-day published an appeal to help locate a missing childhood friend from a group of reunited DN Nagar classmates, the search has finally ended in success. Gazanfar Sayed, fondly known as "Guddu", who had been out of touch with his school friends for almost three decades, has been traced to Vaijapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, leading to an emotional reunion that many feared would never happen.

The breakthrough came after mid-day's report was widely shared on social media and eventually reached people who knew Gazanfar's family, setting off a chain of events that reconnected nearly 20 childhood friends separated by time, distance and changing lives.

Reunion at a glance

Friends reunited: Nearly 20
Years apart: Almost 30
Missing friend: Gazanfar Sayed alias Guddu
Found in: Vaijapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district
Search tools used
>> WhatsApp
>> Instagram
>> Social media appeals
>> mid-day newspaper report
Outcome:
>> Childhood friends reunited after three decades

Gazanfar (centre) at his gym. Pic/By Special Arrangement

The breakthrough

The turning point came after the mid-day appeal was published. Amit Malhotra, one of the friends leading the search, received a call from a person who knew Gazanfar's family and revealed that many people knew him by the name "Guddu". Although the caller did not have a contact number, he knew the family lived in Vaijapur. Amit then contacted a reporter associated with Vaijapur Times and shared the mid-day report. The journalist recognised the name and reached out to Gazanfar directly.

Who is Gazanfar?

Name: Gazanfar Sayed
Nickname: Guddu
Current residence: Vaijapur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
Profession: Gym owner
Former hometown: DN Nagar, Andheri

Why is Gazanfar special?

Gazanfar's friends say he was among the most memorable members of the group, bright in studies, mischievous, loyal and always at the centre of every gathering. Unlike many of his friends, Gazanfar maintained a limited online presence, making the search particularly difficult.

Why he was hard to find?

>> Moved away from Mumbai
>> Mostly active on Instagram, not Facebook
>> Many knew him only by his nickname "Guddu"
>> Contact numbers were lost over time
>> The group drifted apart before smartphones and social media became common

Voice of Amit Malhotra

"After reading mid-day story, I received a phone call from a person who told me he knew Gazanfar. I contacted a reporter and requested help. The reporter recognised Gazanfar, contacted him and later shared his number with me. I called Gazanfar, and the moment I heard his voice, it was an extremely emotional moment."

Voice of Gazanfar Sayed

"I read the mid-day report, and I'm thankful because that is what made this reunion possible. Back then, friendships were deeper and lasted longer."

Gazanfar's life today

After leaving Mumbai, Gazanfar pursued his interest in fitness and bodybuilding. He later turned that passion into a profession and started a gym with a friend around 2009-10. The business continues to operate successfully in Vaijapur.

Call ends search

For Gazanfar, the call arrived unexpectedly. "When I checked Truecaller and saw the name ‘Amit Malhotra', it instantly reminded me of my childhood friend." "I heard a voice asking, ‘Gazanfar?' I said, ‘Yes.' I asked, ‘Amit?' He replied, ‘Yes.'" "It was an emotional moment. We spoke exactly the way we used to as children, joking, teasing and talking as if no time had passed." Soon after, Amit connected the rest of the group through a conference call.