Model-actress Poonam Pandey shocked the nation when she faked her own death in February 2024, announcing via Instagram that she had succumbed to cervical cancer. The goal, she later revealed, was to ignite much-needed conversation about the disease. Fans, media, and celebrities were taken by surprise, with many expressing grief before the truth emerged days later.
Now, Poonam’s mother, Vidya Pandey, has finally broken her silence, and her words offer a raw glimpse into what this stunt meant for her as a parent. In a recent statement, she admitted she was deeply worried, fearing that someone, believing the death hoax was real, could have taken matters into their own hands. “I already knew about the stunt, but I was scared someone might actually come and kill her,” Vidya said, recalling the moment she realized panic had spread beyond online reaction.
Vidya’s emotional revelation underlines how the prank caused more than outrage, it triggered anxiety and fear across their small village when reporters descended in droves. “They were everywhere,” she said, painting a picture of overwhelming media chaos. She also hinted at the personal toll the stunt took, not just on Poonam, but on the entire family.
Adding context, television producer Raghu Ram defended Poonam’s stunt as a successful publicity effort: “Wo jo karne nikli na… usne kar diya” meaning she did exactly what she set out to do: spark national awareness about cervical cancer. Supporters emphasized that cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease with early detection and HPV vaccination, yet it remains widely unknown. Poonam later apologized, acknowledging that her method was “extreme,” but reaffirmed pride that it stirred important conversations.
Still, the stunt ended up dividing opinions. Critics from the All Indian Cine Workers Association demanded an FIR for unethical behavior, and netizens slammed it as “cheap PR.” The agency behind the campaign, Schbang, clarified that the intention was public good, not clickbait, and issued an apology to cancer survivors and families affected. Curiously, Vidya offered a more conciliatory note, saying she understood her daughter’s motivation despite the fallout.
In short, Poonam Pandey’s faux-death stunt succeeded in its goal to raise awareness, but it also brought unexpected real-world consequences. From journalists rushing to their home to fears of vigilante violence, Vidya’s emotional revelation reminds us that even well-meaning stunts can spiral dangerously when reality and belief collide.
