In a recent turn of events, model-actor Poonam Pandey sparked controversy by orchestrating a death hoax as part of a campaign to raise awareness about cervical cancer. Reacting to this unconventional approach, actress Renu Kaushal expressed her dismay and skepticism in an exclusive interview with ETimes. Kaushal admitted, “First of all, I didn’t know who Poonam Pandey is, but with all this happening on the internet, it made me aware of who she is.”
Kaushal raised concerns about the potential harm caused by the stunt, stating, “No, it wasn’t worth it at all. You are scaring people by doing this, conveying that sudden death can happen, and you cannot get it cured.”
Emphasizing the importance of sincerity in spreading crucial messages, particularly related to health issues, Kaushal remarked, “Faking one’s demise for awareness undermines the sincerity needed in spreading important messages. It’s essential to choose ethical and responsible means to advocate for health issues, ensuring genuine impact without compromising trust.”
The fallout from the death hoax saw celebrities and social media users condemning Poonam Pandey for what they deemed the “worst publicity stunt.” The controversy erupted on February 2 when an official post on Poonam Pandey’s Instagram handle announced her demise due to cervical cancer. The news was accompanied by an official statement from her PR team, fueling speculation and confusion.
The film fraternity expressed grief and condolences, with some questioning the authenticity of the news. Poonam Pandey’s family remained incommunicado during the chaos, intensifying speculations about the actual cause of her alleged death. However, on February 3, it was revealed that Poonam Pandey was, in fact, alive and well, and the entire episode was a publicity stunt aimed at shedding light on cervical cancer.
