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New Delhi: Controversial actress-model Poonam Pandey has yet again made headlines after she said she \u201cfaked\u201d her death to start a national conversation on cervical cancer. In the bargain, like she always manages to do, she has left behind a trail of polarised views on social media.<\/p>\n
When Poonam\u2019s social media account released a statement on her having succumbed to cervical cancer at 32, the industry was left in a state of shock, while many grieved several felt it was a publicity gimmick.<\/p>\n
Kangana Ranaut, whose show \u2018Lock Upp\u2019 gave Pandey her reality TV star status, was the first to \u2018mourn\u2019 her \u2018death\u2019.<\/p>\n
The actress wrote on her Instagram Stories, \u201cThis is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe. Om Shanti!\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, after Pandey\u2019s re-appearance, her critics are accusing her of engaging in a publicity stunt and being insensitive to the feelings of people living with cervical cancer.<\/p>\n
They are asking if the \u201cawareness campaign\u201d was worth the hysteria it created among her fans and the media.<\/p>\n
She had written on her Instagram stories: \u201cThis is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe. Om Shanti.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sambhavna Seth, who featured alongside Pandey in the reality show \u2018Khatron Ke Khiladi\u2019, had said her co-star \u201cnever mentioned\u201d to her that she had cervical cancer.<\/p>\n
Seth was left quizzical, but actress Payal Ghosh was unsparing. She said on social media that Pandey\u2019s tactic to get attention, even for a matter of grave concern, was \u201cunwarranted and insensitive\u201d.<\/p>\n
Writing on X, Ghosh said: \u201cSome find it funny to use such unwarranted and insensitive approach in the name of \u2018so-called\u2019 Awareness. People suffering from #cervicalcancer go through living hell but some find it entitled to use it for PR! Sad state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam\u2019s friend and designer Rohit K. Verma, who had earlier expressed his grief at her sudden \u2018demise\u2019, dropped a scathing comment on her latest video, where she is seen looking healthy dressed in a white T-shirt and appearing without makeup.<\/p>\n
Verma wrote: \u201cIt\u2019s important to address cervical cancer awareness genuinely. Faking one\u2019s death can be misleading and counterproductive, Let\u2019s encourage more responsible methods to raise awareness and support those affected by this serious health issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pandey\u2019s \u2018Lock Upp\u2019 co-contestant Saisha Shinde said she has lost a friend.<\/p>\n
Saisha wrote angrily: \u201cYou can NEVER GAIN AWARENESS BY GAINING FAKE SYMPATHY. U have lost a friend forever. Shame on you Poonam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former \u2018Bigg Boss\u2019 contestant Sreejita De also lashed out at Pandey\u2019s tactics.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThis is not creating awareness. This is simply heinous. I cannot believe someone can stoop down to this level for publicity. Shame shame shame. There are so many people who are actually fighting cancer. This is disgusting.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the spate of angry comments, Pandey shared another statement on Instagram, where she wrote she understood the news of her \u201csupposed demise due to cervical cancer has taken a minute to digest\u201d.<\/p>\n
She also admitted that this has been perceived to be in \u201cbad taste\u201d but she urged everyone to \u201cconsider the greater cause\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe sheer lack of awareness surrounding this issue was the mere reason that compelled me to take this compelling step.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pandey concluded by saying: \u201cIt\u2019s intriguing how much vital information was in the forefront yet failed to capture the attention of the press ntil the narrative took a dramatic turn with the news of my death to cervical cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coincidentally, it all started just a day after the Interim Union Budget 2024-25 was tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who put the spotlight on the health of girls aged 9-14.<\/p>\n
Sitharaman announced that the government will promote the vaccination of girls aged 9-14 for the prevention of cervical cancer.<\/p>\n
(IANS)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n