Introduction:

In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood model and actress Poonam Pandey recently staged her own death as part of a unique awareness campaign centred around cervical cancer. The actress, who had been rumoured to be battling cervical cancer, took to social media on February 3 to dispel the news of her demise and shed light on the critical importance of cervical cancer prevention and awareness.

The Hoax:

On February 2, news of Poonam Pandey's death due to cervical cancer spread like wildfire across social media and mainstream news platforms. The misinformation was fueled by posts on her official social media accounts, leaving millions of fans mourning the loss of the popular actress. Such mainstream news even stated that Poonam’s death was confirmed by even her manager and can be read here and here. Archived & Archived

However, the very next day, Poonam Pandey surprised everyone with a video on her Instagram account, revealing that she was very much alive.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C24C_LyIy6m/

The Awareness Campaign:

In the Instagram video, Poonam Pandey clarified the purpose behind the staged death, stating that it was part of a campaign to raise awareness about cervical cancer. She shared her relief at being alive and emphasised the tragic reality that many women lose their lives to this preventable disease due to a lack of knowledge and awareness.

Pandey's Plea for Prevention:

Pandey, in her video message, highlighted the preventable nature of cervical cancer, citing the importance of the HPV vaccine and early detection tests. She urged her followers and the public to empower themselves with critical awareness about the disease and take proactive steps to ensure that no woman loses her life to cervical cancer. Pandey also provided a link in her bio for more information on preventive measures and steps that can be taken.

Mixed Reactions:

Following the revelation of the staged death, Poonam Pandey faced a wave of criticism for faking her demise. Many questioned the appropriateness of using such a dramatic method for an awareness campaign, while others lauded her for drawing attention to a critical health issue. Despite the backlash, Pandey expressed gratitude for the warmth and concern she received from people worldwide, acknowledging that the controversy had sparked important conversations about cervical cancer.

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Title:Poonam Pandey's Faked Death: Part of Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign

Written By: Kalana Krishantha

Result: Insight