The entertainment industry was abuzz with a controversial hoax pulled off by actress Poonam Pandey, who recently made a startling fake announcement of her death. Pandey, known for her often bold persona, claimed that she died from cervical cancer—a deception she later revealed in a video, arguing it was intended to raise awareness for the disease. Despite her rationale, numerous peers from the film fraternity have voiced their disdain for what they consider an incredibly insensitive publicity stunt.
Pandey’s statement created a ripple of shockwaves across social media. Subsequently, she posted a video to clarify her actions, stating, “I am alive. I didn’t die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I can’t say that about those hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives because of cervical cancer.” Her words, meant to serve as a wake-up call about the seriousness of the condition, instead left several of her colleagues in the industry outraged over her approach.
Outspoken criticism came from the famous fashion designer Saisha Shinde, who expressed utter disgust in a social media post. Directly addressing Pandey, Shinde shared her personal encounters with illness and death in her family, repudiating the actress’s gimmick as anything but awareness-raising. Many others supported Shinde’s sentiment.
Controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma offered a slightly more measured response but did not shy away from acknowledging the potential backlash that Pandey’s extreme methods would stir. He did, however, note that regardless of the controversy, discussions around cervical cancer had become a trending topic, indicating that the stunt had at least partially achieved its objective.
Opinionated entertainer Kusha Kapila joined in the chorus of critics with a scathing comment on the culpability of the agency or individual who conceived and approved the idea, while actress Riddhi Dogra aimed her grievance at the media and journalists for reporting without due diligence.
Meanwhile, actor Siddhant Kapoor suggested that such behavior—the fabrication of one’s death for publicity—should be subject to legal consequences, labeling it as “disgusting.”
Singer and performer Sophie Choudry highlighted the role of media houses in propagating the news without verifying the facts, drawing attention to a lapse in journalistic responsibility.
Singer Rahul Vaidya critiqued the entire public relation mechanism behind such sensationalism, using the opportunity to declare “RIP PR/ marketing” in a mocking tone, indicating a new low for publicity stunts.
Mandira Bedi and Aly Goni were among others who openly criticized both Pandey and the media, with Goni accusing the stunt of being nothing more than a pursuit of cheap publicity. The strong reaction illuminates a broader disappointment and frustration with the lengths to which individuals might go for attention.
A palpably emotional response came from Poonam Pandey’s close friend, actor Shardul Pandit, who released a video expressing his profound apologies to everyone affected by the hoax, interweaving his own experiences of loss due to cancer, and indicating the personal impact this incident had on him.
Producer and director Ektaa R Kapoor chimed in with a sharp critique, directing her ire toward the company that backed such an insensitive campaign, suggesting they should face legal consequences.
In an industry often characterized by its glamour and dramatics, Poonam Pandey’s death hoax has evoked a wave of indignation by blurring the line between promoting awareness and promoting oneself. While intended as a striking call to attention on a grave health issue, the execution has sparked a heated debate on ethics in media and the sensitive handling of topics related to mortality and disease. Critics assert that the end does not justify the means, especially when dealing with subjects that deeply affect real lives and real losses.
