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Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey faked her death in a bizarre method to raise awareness about a “preventable” deadly disease.
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey is alive and facing harsh criticism after she faked her death in an elaborate stunt to raise awareness about cervical cancer.
A post on Pandey’s Instagram account on February 2 claimed that the model died of cervical cancer.
But a day later, Pandey revealed that he was fine and breathing as he opened up about why he performed the bizarre stunt.
“I’m alive. I didn’t die from cervical cancer.” Pandey said. “Sadly, I cannot say the same for the hundreds of thousands of women who have lost their lives to cervical cancer.”
“It’s not because they couldn’t do anything about it, it’s because they had no idea what to do about it.”
Pandey continued her service announcement, saying that cervical cancer is preventable, “unlike other cancers,” and that all women need to do is get tested and receive the HPV vaccine.
Pandey, apologizing to those hurt by his “death”, said his only intention was to “shock everyone” and start a conversation about the deadly disease.
“Yes, I faked my death, extreme, I know, but suddenly we’re all talking about cervical cancer, right?” he said in a follow-up video.
The revelation of the fake death hoax did not sit well with many, as the model was criticized for the publicity stunt.
“This is the most ridiculous way to promote something,” one commenter posted.
“I’m happy she’s alive but (please) arrest her for the drama and publicity stunt,” said another.
“The next time people don’t take you seriously, you’ll just destroy all your credibility.”
“The worst shitty and rude trick one can do. “People have lost loved ones to cancer, myself, and here you are making fun,” another commenter wrote. Get a life girl and hire a better agency. “Just obtuse.”
Pandey, however, defended the hoax and said he was not doing it to harm people because he had family members who also suffered from the disease.
“For those who say I am being insensitive, I would like to tell you that my mother suffered from cancer.”
“This unexpected turn of events, while surprising, serves a greater purpose,” Pandey said in a statement on his Instagram. “While I understand that you may have perceived this as distasteful, I also implore you to consider the greater cause.”
“Before passing judgment on the law, I urge you to recognize the alarming concern that plagues women around the world. The sheer lack of awareness on this issue was the mere reason that forced me to take this unconventional step.”
Pandey, who rose to fame after reaching the finals of India’s annual Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 2011, expected some reaction, but felt that no other method would have spread the word so quickly and so widely.
“Feel free to express your frustration, I understand. But this is not just talk, but I am committing my entire body to the service of cervical cancer,” Pandey added.
In subsequent posts, Pandey seemingly took a victory lap and thanked the two media houses that helped her carry out the “campaign” that took more than four months to plan.
In the original death announcement, one eagle-eyed social media user called the post a publicity stunt, long before the model told the world that she told the world.
“Patients with cervical cancer do not die suddenly, out of nowhere,” the user began by writing.
“I hope this is not a publicity stunt disguised as cervical cancer awareness, which would be unethical and irresponsible, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like health awareness.