Poonam Pandey’s declaration of her death on Instagram, purportedly from cervical cancer, stunned audiences worldwide before she unveiled it as a mere awareness stunt the next day. Initially, the startling news sent waves through social media, prompting a mix of obituaries and accolades from unsuspecting media outlets and Bollywood stars.
However, the revelation of the truth sparked intense backlash, with many branding Pandey’s act as a “deceptive stunt” and criticizing her for attention-seeking behavior. Despite the controversy, Pandey, known for her provocative antics and roles in films like the 2013 erotic thriller “Nasha”, stood by her decision. In response to the criticism, she argued that her extreme method successfully spotlighted cervical cancer, a critical issue in India where the disease accounts for nearly a quarter of global cases.