Poonam Pandey death stunt: Everything we know about her publicity gimmick that backfired

Poonam Pandey's team on Friday claimed she died of cervical cancer at the age of 32. But on Saturday, the model-actor shared new videos saying ‘I am alive’.

Poonam Pandey's manager claimed on Friday that the model, actor and reality TV star had died of cervical cancer on Thursday night. Her team had also shared a post on her official Instagram account to break the news of her death. However, turns out Poonam is alive. She posted a couple of videos announcing the same on Instagram on Saturday. Social media users and celebs alike are slamming her.

Poonam Pandey's team claimed she died on Thursday. Turns out it was all a publicity stunt.

What Poonam said in new video

She said, "I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I can't say that about those hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives because of cervical cancer." She went on to talk about the disease. Sharing the video, Poonam wrote, “I feel compelled to share something significant with you all - I am here, alive. Cervical Cancer didn’t claim me, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who stemmed from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease.”

Internet is angry with Poonam

Twitter and Instagram are filled with posts and comments slamming Poonam. An X user said, “As expected! All of this was a publicity stunt! All the people who were questioning her were right!” A tweet read, “Poonam Pandey is the biggest fraud, she is alive. This is beyond shameless."

Celebrities including her own friends from the industry are not ready to forgive her for the ‘insensitive’ joke. Responding to news about Poonam's publicity stunt, Kusha Kapila said, “Here is an agency behind this. Someone actually came up with idea and also greenlit it I cannot.”

Poonam Pandey's team had confirmed cause of death

While Poonam's unexpected 'death’ was mourned by numerous fans and celebs on Friday, there was speculation about whether it was a stunt, the cause, as well as her family's silence.

On Friday, a post shared by the late actor-model's team on Poonam Pandey's official Instagram account read, "This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer. Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief, we would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we shared."

Speaking to Hauterrfly.com, Poonam’s manager Nikita Sharma further said, “Poonam Pandey’s commitment to her work and her unwavering spirit amidst her health struggles was truly remarkable. Her demise will continue to remind us of the urgency to prioritise health, particularly in the case of preventable diseases like cervical cancer.”

Why did Poonam Pandey's family not say anything?

Some reports said Poonam Pandey’s family was unreachable after her shock announcement. As per a report by India Today, a source revealed that Poonam's family members are untraceable as attempts were made to get in touch with them, but their phones were either switched off or unreachable.

A source told the portal, "We tried calling Poonam’s sister after our last call with her but ever since, her phone has been switched off. Not only that, but her other family members are also not reachable. We tried to get in touch with 2-3 members of Poonam’s team as well and, surprisingly, everybody’s phone is either switched off or unreachable. Hence, we are also confused at this moment.”

Kamaal R Khan's reaction

Former actor and film critic Kamaal R Khan (KRK) has rubbished the news of Poonam’s death, calling it a ‘publicity stunt’. Sharing a photo of Poonam on Instagram on Friday, he wrote in his caption, "Her death news is a publicity stunt. Poonam Pandey is alive." He also shared a video of Poonam with others from a bash, and wrote, “Poonam was enjoying in a party just 2 days ago!”

Speculation around her last Instagram post

Others on social media were on Friday also reacting to a video from a Goa bash that Poonam posted on Instagram a couple of days before news of her death broke. It was her last Instagram post. Many said they were shocked by Poonam's ‘sudden death’.

Actor Sambhavna Seth also said that Poonam Pandey ‘never mentioned’ her cervical cancer. Sambhavna, who participated in the reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi with Poonam, said in an interview with News18, "Oh my god! I knew her. We have done Khatron Ke Khiladi together. I met her last year. We actually would keep meeting sometimes socially or at an event. But she never mentioned that she was going through any problems. It’s absolutely unbelievable, I still can’t digest it. Poonam was so young, hardly 30-32 years old. Life is just so unpredictable."

Bodyguard says Poonam never mentioned illness

In a new interview with India Today, Poonam Pandey's bodyguard Amin Khan said he last saw her on Monday. Amin also said that the model-actor 'never mentioned her illness to him or any of her staff' and added that Poonam's family, including her sister, are not his answering calls.

"I last left madam (Poonam Pandey) on January 29; we had a photo shoot with Rohit Verma (fashion designer) in Mumbai. After that, I dropped her home. She never mentioned any illness to me or any staff… We went home, but the watchman refused to let anyone in."

This story has been updated to incorporate Poonam Pandey's latest social media posts that reveal her death announcement to be a stunt.