Fans reacted with shock and confusion, as news of actor-model Poonam Pandey’s death broke. A post made from her official Instagram account said that the actor had died due to cervical cancer at the young age of 32.
The news shocked many, with some wondering if the post was a hoax. The actor’s team had also ‘confirmed’ the news in an interview to News18, saying ‘She passed away last night.’
The actor’s management had also ‘confirmed’ the news to ANI.
Pandey’s fans wondered if this was a PR stunt for an upcoming project, with one asking ‘What is it for real? Or some kind of promotion for upcoming project?’
How did Poonam Pandey ‘die’?
A post shared on Pandey’s Instagram read, ‘This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared.’
Pandey releases video saying ‘she faked it’
On Saturday, the 32-year-old conceded to her 1.3 million followers in another video posted on Instagram that her death had been a hoax.
‘Yes, I faked my demise, extreme I know. But suddenly we all are talking about cervical cancer, aren’t we?’ Pandey said. ‘I am proud of what my death news has been able to achieve.’
Pandey captured the imagination of the social media world during the 2011 Cricket World Cup and for her bold PR stunts, and this awareness campaign certainly has put her in the media eye again.
The latest stunt, however well-intentioned, does not seem to have gone down well with netizens as it’was soon met with online criticism that included accusations it was a ‘deceptive stunt.’
Online reactions
Many lambasted Pandey for what one commenter described as her ‘attention-seeking’ behaviour, even as one wrote ‘Engaging in a deceptive stunt, like faking one’s death, under the guise of ‘raising awareness’ … is not only unethical but also manipulative.’
Another comment read ‘Honestly shame on you for this stunt. Next time no one will take your real death seriously!’
Netizens had expressed skepticism after noticing that footage of Pandey on board a boat in Goa, apparently in good health, had been posted to her account four days before the ‘death announcement.’
Cervical cancer is an important healthcare issue in India, with the country accounting for a third of all global cervical cancer deaths, around 1,32,000 new cases being diagnosed annually.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 announced the government’s plans to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged 9 to 14 as part of her Interim Budget 2024 presentation.
The Finance Minister also announced multiple other health-related schemes in her speech, including extending ‘Ayushman Bharat’ cover to all Asha workers and Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Ms Pandey was seen on the reality show Lock Upp season 1 in 2022, which was hosted by actor Kangana Ranaut.
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