On Friday, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called for legal action against model-actor Poonam Pandey, urging the filing of an FIR. Using X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, AICWA emphasized that the 'utilization of cervical cancer as a pretext for self-promotion is not tolerable.' The president of the All Indian Cine Workers Association, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, issued a subsequent statement on Saturday, condemning Poonam's actions and reiterating the demand for an FIR to be registered against her. ALSO READ: Poonam Panday Fake Death News Controversy: Kangana Ranaut, Bipasha Basu, Mandira Bedi And Other Celebs Slam The Actress For Cheap Publicity
Poonam's team announced on Friday, via Instagram, that she succumbed to cervical cancer. However, on Saturday, Poonam released new videos revealing she had staged her death to promote cervical cancer awareness. Criticizing her actions, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta expressed his dismay to ANI, stating, "Is this a joke?... You stooped so low for cheap publicity. No one has stooped this low in the Bollywood industry... You have played with the sentiments of the people... There is a way to raise awareness. You can approach the government, an NGO, or conduct a media conference... I have asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner that an FIR should be registered against Poonam Pandey and her manager..." ALSO READ: Poonam Pandey Apologises For Fake Cervical Cancer Death News, Says ‘I Did This For A Cause And Not For Money’
The statement from AICWA conveyed strong disapproval of the Lock Upp fame actress and her deceptive PR stunt, denouncing it as highly inappropriate. It emphasized that leveraging the pretext of cervical cancer for self-promotion is unacceptable. The association expressed concerns about the potential impact on the credibility of death news within the Indian film industry, asserting that such extreme measures for PR are not representative of the industry's usual standards. Check out the complete statement below.
The Fake PR stunt by Model and Actress Poonam Pandey is highly wrong. Using the guise of Cervical Cancer for self-promotion is not acceptable.
— All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAofficial) February 3, 2024
After this news, people may hesitate to believe any Death news in the Indian film industry. No one in the film industry Stoops to such… pic.twitter.com/CnKmmsCUoQ
In a recent video, Poonam offered an apology for the controversial stunt but maintained that her primary aim was to raise awareness about cervical cancer. Expressing regret for any distress caused, she stated, "I am sorry I caused this tear and I am sorry to those I have hurt. My intention: to shock everyone into the conversation that we are not talking enough about cervical cancer." She asserted that the news of her supposed death served a "greater purpose."
Image Source: Twitter