The actress who died of cancer announces: I'm alive/Poonam Pandey/Instagram
Actress, model and Bollywood movie star Poonam Pandey staged her death to raise awareness of cervical cancer - and was heavily criticized by her fans.
A post on Fundy's Instagram account on February 2 claimed the model had died after suffering from cervical cancer.
However, a day later Pandi herself uploaded a video in which she revealed that she was alive and breathing and that it was a prank designed to raise awareness of the serious disease.
"I'm alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer," Pandey said in the video, "Unfortunately, I can't say that 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 that they had no idea what to do."
Pandey explained that cervical cancer is preventable "unlike other cancers," with all women need to do is get tested and get the HPV vaccine.
Apologizing for those affected by her fake death, Pandey said her only intention was to "shock everyone" and spark a conversation about the deadly disease.
"Yes, I faked my death. It's extreme, I know, but suddenly we're all talking about cervical cancer, aren't we?"
she said in a follow-up video.
The chilling message about her death:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
And here she announces that she is alive:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
The exposure of the hoax was not liked by many.
"This is the most ridiculous way to promote something," posted one commenter and another wrote: "I'm glad she's alive but, please, arrest her for the drama and her ridiculous publicity stunt."
Another person wrote: "Next time people won't take you seriously. You just destroyed all your credibility."
Another follower wrote: "The worst business stunt you could ever pull. People have lost their loved ones to cancer. I myself have cervical cancer - and here you are making fun of it. Get a life, honey, and hire yourself a better agency. You're just stupid."
Pandey, however, defended her prank and said she did not do it to hurt people, as she too has family members who have suffered from the disease.
"For those who say I'm insensitive, I want to tell you that my mother got cancer."
"This unexpected turn, while startling, serves a greater purpose," Pandey added in a statement posted on her Instagram. My act, I call on you to recognize the great concern that burdens women around the world. The complete lack of awareness surrounding this issue is the very reason that forced me to take this unusual step."
Another explanatory video for the angry:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by HAUTERRFLY |
A Fork Media Group Co.
(@hauterfly)
Another apology and explanation:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
And here is all the media coverage of her death:
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by HAUTERRFLY |
A Fork Media Group Co.
(@hauterfly)
Pandey, who rose to fame after reaching the finals of the Gladrags Manhunt and India's annual "Mega Model" pageants in 2011, expected some backlash, but felt no other way would spread the word so quickly or so widely.
"You are welcome to express your frustration - I understand. But this is not said to get out of the way of duty. Instead, I am fully committed to raising awareness of cervical cancer," Pandey added.
In the posts she shared afterward, Fundy allegedly declared that her goals had been achieved and thanked the two media companies that helped her execute the "campaign" that took more than four months to plan.
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"My mother also suffered from the disease"
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Poonam Pandey (@poonampandeyreal)
Even before she announced that it was a hoax, there were some fans who suspected that her death was staged.
One wrote that day: "Cervical cancer patients do not die suddenly, out of nowhere. I hope this is not a publicity stunt disguised as creating awareness of cervical cancer, which would be immoral and irresponsible, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as awareness of health issues."
More on the same topic:
Bollywood
cancer
Cervical cancer