- Poonam Pandey, 32, was announced as having died from cancer on Friday
- But in a video today she revealed to her 1.3 million fans that she is still alive
- The actress carried out the hoax to raise greater awareness of cervical cancer
A Bollywood star and model who lied about her death says she is ‘proud’ of the publicity stunt, saying it has helped raise greater awareness around cervical cancer.
Poonam Pandey, 32, was announced as having died from the disease on Friday, in a social media message to her 1.3 million fans posted by her management team.
The Instagram post 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.’
The news was confirmed by her manager Nikita Sharma, who told local media: ‘Poonam Pandey, the beloved actress and social media personality, has tragically passed away this morning due to cervical cancer, leaving the entertainment industry in shock and mourning.
Bollywood star Poonam Pandey says she is ‘proud’ of a publicity stunt in which she announced her death, saying it has helped raise greater awareness around cervical cancer
Just a day after the death announcement, the actress set the record straight with a video revealing she was still alive as part of a campaign to raise awareness around cervical cancer
‘Her unwavering spirit amidst her health struggles was truly remarkable.’
Sharma also highlighted the ‘critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures against preventable diseases like cervical cancer’.
News of her death was reported in media outlets around the world, including MailOnline.
But just a day later, the actress set the record straight with a video revealing she was still alive, Sky News reports.
Apologising to her fans, Pandey said: ‘Yes, I faked my demise. Extreme, I know. But suddenly we all are talking about cervical cancer, aren’t we?
‘I am proud of what my death news has been able to achieve.
‘Unlike some other cancers, cervical cancer is entirely preventable. The key lies in the HPV vaccine and early detection tests. We have the means to ensure no one loses their life to this disease.
‘Let’s empower one another with critical awareness and ensure every woman is informed about the steps to take.’
In a later post, she urged disgruntled fans to ‘express your frustration’, adding ‘but this is not just lip service, instead I’m committing my entire body to the service of cervical cancer.’
Pandey, from Kanpur, India, garnered considerable notoriety when she vowed to strip for Team India if they won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.
She made her Bollywood debut in the film Nasha in 2013, in which she played the lead role of Anita – a temptuous drama teacher who engages in a disastrous romance with a teenage student.
Pandey last appeared in the Indian reality show ‘Lock Upp’, which saw celebrities held in a prison and forced to perform different tasks to earn their freedom.
She has also appeared in films such as Love is Poison, Malini & Co, and The Journey of Karma alongside a successful modelling career.
The post to Pandey’s 1.3 million followers on Friday 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’
The model said on Saturday she is ‘proud of what my death news has been able to achieve’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk