Indian actor Poonam Pandey is facing criticism after staging her own death to raise awareness for cervical cancer. The controversial move has sparked a heated debate among fans and the public.

Two days ago, a post appeared on Pandey's Instagram page announcing her demise due to cervical cancer. The emotional post read, "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."

Surprisingly, the supposedly deceased actress resurfaced on Instagram a day later, sharing a video where she revealed she is indeed alive. Pandey explained that her intention was to draw attention to the preventable nature of cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.

"I'm alive," Pandey exclaimed in the video. "I didn't die because of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the thousands of women who have lost their lives due to this disease. Awareness is crucial, and getting tested and vaccinated against HPV can save lives."

However, this unorthodox awareness campaign did not sit well with many of her fans. Numerous commenters criticized Pandey's decision to fake her own death, labeling it as a disrespectful publicity stunt. One commenter wrote, "Worst PR stunt. You could have found a better way to raise awareness without exploiting the emotions of cancer patients." Another commenter added, "This is the worst awareness stunt I've seen."

Despite the backlash, Pandey defended her actions and stated that the campaign was initiated four months ago in collaboration with Indian marketing agency Schbang. In an Instagram post on Saturday, she implored her followers to consider the larger impact of her intervention. "Yes, it might be perceived in bad taste, but the attention it garnered was necessary," she wrote.

Addressing claims of insensitivity, Pandey shared that her own mother had battled throat cancer, and she understood the severity of the disease. She insisted that her intentions were aimed at promoting a cause that could save lives.

The marketing agency Schbang, also involved in the campaign, expressed regret towards those who were triggered by the stunt due to personal experiences with cancer. Their statement emphasized that the objective was to elevate awareness about Cervical Cancer, highlighting its grave impact on a significant number of women in India.

According to Schbang, in 2022 alone, there were 123,907 reported cases of Cervical Cancer in India, resulting in 77,348 deaths. They defended their strategy, stating that Pandey's actions led to "Cervical Cancer" becoming the most searched term on Google, generating unprecedented coverage for the cause.

While Poonam Pandey's attempt to raise awareness for cervical cancer garnered attention, the controversial nature of her campaign has ignited a fierce debate. Whether her intention to bring attention to the issue justifies the means remains a point of contention among her fanbase and the broader public.