[ad_1]
For free actual time breaking information alerts despatched straight to your inbox signal as much as our breaking information emails
Sign as much as our free breaking information emails
A scandal has errupted in India after it was revealed that Bollywood actor and mannequin Poonam Pandey is seemingly nonetheless alive, after a press release was shared to her Instagram account claiming she had died from cervical cancer.
On Friday 2 February, a publish from her official account, which has greater than 1.3 million followers, stated she had died from cervical cancer on the age of 32.
“This morning is a tough one for us,” the assertion stated.
“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.”
The information was later “confirmed” by Pandey’s supervisor Nikita Sharma, in a press release to NDTV, and reported on by dozens of media shops together with The Independent.
However, Pandey, initially from Kanpur, India, has now shared a sequence of posts and movies saying that she is, actually, not useless, and that the report was a publicity stunt supposedly meant to lift consciousness of cervical cancer screenings.
“I feel compelled to share something significant with you all, I am here, alive,” she wrote, alongside a video of her addressing the stunt and the attention marketing campaign. “Cervical cancer didn’t claim me, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who stemmed from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease.
“Unlike some other cancers, Cervical Cancer is entirely preventable. The key lies in the HPV vaccine and early detection tests. We have the means to ensure no one loses their life to this disease. Let’s empower one another with critical awareness and ensure every woman is informed about the steps to take.”
The Independent has contacted Pandey’s representatives for remark.
In a separate publish, Pandey acknowledged the controversy surrounding the stunt, writing: “I understand that the recent news of my supposed demise due to cervical cancer has taken a minute to digest and I appreciate the warmth and concern that the world has extended in the last 24 hours.
“This unexpected turn of events, albeit startling, serves a greater purpose. While I do understand how you would have perceived this in bad taste, I also implore you to consider the greater cause. Before passing judgement on the act, I urge you to recognise the alarming concern burdering women worldwide.
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
“The sheer lack of awareness surrounding this issue was the mere reason that compelled me to take this unconventional step.”
Pandey cited a latest Union Budget drawing consciousness to the dearth of uptake for cervical cancer screenings however claimed she might “say with certainty that only a small fraction would’ve registered it”.
She then shared a hyperlink to a web site, poonampandeyisalive.com, “where we can come together to combat cervical cancer and make a positive impact.”
Pandey claimed that the false report of her demise was connected to “500 headlines”, and that “if that’s the kind of impact we can bring… I am willing to absorb the impact of this moment for the greater good”.
At the time of writing, the assertion saying Pandey’s demise was nonetheless posted to her Instagram web page.
The stunt has provoked outrage amongst her followers and the medical neighborhood, lots of whom have referred to as Pandey out within the feedback underneath her posts.
“You just destroyed your entire credibility,” one critic wrote, receiving greater than 16,000 “likes” inside a couple of hours of posting.
“Worst publicity stunt ever!” leisure journalist Hesha Chimah wrote.
Hundreds of different feedback branded the stunt “distasteful” and “insensitive”.
Posting underneath a shared publish by PR firm Hauter Fly, physician and writer Tanaya Narendra, who has 1.5 million followers, objected to being cited in certainly one of Pandey’s movies.
“Please don’t associate me with your distasteful campaign,” she wrote. “I’ve been creating HPV vaccine awareness long before your ill-thought through plan was born. This act was insensitive and morally reprehensible, and I will not stand to be associated with this.”
After rising up in Kanpur, Pandey relocated to Mumbai when she made her Bollywood debut with the 2013 movie Nasha (Intoxication).
In the erotic thriller film, she performed the lead position of Anita, a drama trainer who engages in a controversial romantic relationship with a scholar.
She final appeared within the first season of Indian actuality present Lock Upp, hosted by actor Kangana Ranaut, in 2022. The present follows 19 “misunderstood” or controversial celebrities who should tough it out in a makeshift “prison” whereas finishing numerous duties to be let loose.
Poonam Pandey has died aged 32
(Getty)
Following the announcement of her “death”, a number of celebrities – together with Bollywood star Ranaut – paid tribute to her on social media.
Writing on her Instagram Stories, Ranaut wrote: “This is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe.”
Stand-up comic and Pandey’s fellow “inmate” on Lock Upp, Munawar Faruqui tweeted: “Can’t process the news. Poonam was a great human being. Sad. RIP.”
(Hindustan Times through Getty Images)
Actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt additionally took to X, previously recognized as Twitter, writing, “So tragic to hear about Poonam Pandey. I had never met her, but when life claims someone so young it is always devastating.
“My prayers and deepest condolences to her family, friends and everyone whose life she impacted.”
During her decade-long profession within the leisure business, Pandey has additionally appeared in movies such as Love is Poison, Malini & Co, and The Journey of Karma whereas additionally pursuing a profession as a mannequin and social media influencer.
She married filmmaker Sam Bombay on 10 September 2020 however their relationship later grew to become embroiled in a home abuse case.
Two months after they tied the knot, Pandey accused Bombay of bodily assault, resulting in his arrest in Goa.
In a press release to India Today on the time, police confirmed: “Actress Poonam Pandey’s husband, Sam Bombay, was arrested yesterday in Mumbai after the actress complained that he assaulted her. Poonam Pandey was admitted to a hospital.”
Per week after she filed the home abuse case towards Bombay, it was reported the pair had reconciled and have been again collectively.
“We are trying to iron out things and have more or less sorted it all out,” she informed The Times of India. “We are back together. You know what? We both love each other too much. We are madly in love. And, which shaadi (marriage) does not have its ups and downs?”
Pandey sparked controversy when it was reported she had been arrested for violating Covid lockdown protocols through the early months of the pandemic.
She refuted the claims in a video posted on her Instagram account, with Pandey explaining she was “having a movie marathon” at house and had not damaged any lockdown guidelines.
The Press Trust of India (PTI) initially reported Pandey and Bombay had been booked by the Mumbai police for breaking the principles of the nationwide lockdown and going out for a drive.
“Hey guys, I had a movie marathon last night. I watched three movies back-to-back, it was fun,” Pandey stated in an Instagram video. “I have been getting calls since last night that I am arrested and I am seeing that in the news as well.
“Guys, please don’t write that about me. I am home and I am perfectly fine. Love you all.”
In 2022, the Supreme Court of India granted Pandey safety from arrest after she was accused in a significant porn movie racketing case.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink