Actor and model is being condemned for the stunt, which has been branded ‘insensitive’ and ‘morally reprehensible’ by her followers and medical professionals

A scandal has erupted in India after it was revealed that Bollywood actor and model Poonam Pandey is still alive after a statement was shared to her Instagram account claiming she had died from cervical cancer.

On Friday 2 February, a post from Pandey’s official account, which has more than 1.3 million followers, said she had died from cervical cancer at the age of 32.

“This morning is a tough one for us,” the statement said.

“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 later “confirmed” by Pandey’s team to a number of Indian national news outlets including NDTV and News18, while her manager Nikita Sharma hailed her “unwavering spirit amidst her health struggles” in a statement to the press. The news was reported on by dozens of media outlets, including The Independent.

However, Pandey has now shared a series of posts and videos announcing that she is, in fact, not dead, and that the report was a publicity stunt supposedly intended to raise awareness of cervical cancer screenings.