Poonam Pandey Clarifies PR Uninvolved in Fake Death Announcement; Agency Apologizes for Controversial Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign

Last week, actress Poonam Pandey made headlines with a shocking incident where she falsely claimed her own death, citing the motive of raising awareness about cervical cancer. The news of her demise due to cervical cancer was reported on February 2, with her management confirming the tragic news. However, the following day, Poonam Pandey took to her official Instagram account to reveal that the entire episode was orchestrated to shed light on the aforementioned cancer, sparking widespread condemnation.

In a series of videos shared on her Instagram, Poonam Pandey explained the rationale behind her controversial actions, asserting that her decision was independent of any public relations involvement. She expressed remorse for the distress caused, acknowledging the impact of cancer on her family and emphasizing that her intent was to draw attention to the issue of cervical cancer, which holds personal significance due to her mother’s battle with the disease.

Addressing the intense backlash she faced, Poonam Pandey acknowledged the negative feedback she anticipated, including the disapproval of her best friend. Despite the criticism, she expressed gratitude that her message about cervical cancer had garnered significant attention, affirming the enduring importance of her cause.

Following the public outcry, the agency Schbang, which orchestrated the campaign, issued a formal apology, acknowledging the distress caused by their involvement. The agency’s statement emphasized their mission to elevate awareness about cervical cancer, citing alarming statistics of cervical cancer cases and fatalities in India. They expressed regret for any offense caused by their initiative and emphasized the urgent need to address the prevalence of cervical cancer among middle-aged women in the country.

In a subsequent Instagram post on February 3, Poonam Pandey shared a clip featuring the speech by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting the importance of cervical cancer vaccination in the 2024 budget discussion in parliament, thereby refocusing the conversation on the critical need for awareness and action in combating cervical cancer.