Agency Issues Apology for Involvement in Poonam Pandey's Controversial Stunt

Poonam Pandey's fake death news left everyone divided. The actress received a huge backlash for hurting the emotions of many. Now, the digital agency Schbang has publicly acknowledged its involvement in organizing a controversial stunt  "fake death" stunt featuring model and actor Poonam Pandey. The intention behind this bold move was to raise awareness about cervical cancer, shedding light on the ethical implications of using such unconventional tactics for public health campaigns.

Agency Issues Apology

Schbang issued an official apology via Instagram, expressing remorse for their actions and acknowledging the emotional impact on those who have experienced or witnessed the challenges posed by cancer. The statement clarified their collaboration with Hauterfly in the initiative to spread awareness about cervical cancer through Poonam Pandey.

The agency stated, "Our actions were driven by a singular mission - to elevate awareness about Cervical Cancer. In 2022, India registered 123,907 Cervical Cancer cases and 77,348 deaths. After Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer is the second-most frequent malignancy affecting middle-aged women in India."

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The stunt involved the false announcement of Poonam Pandey's death due to cervical cancer by her manager, creating widespread shock and disbelief. However, Ms. Pandey later clarified on Instagram that the news of her demise was untrue and revealed the stunt's purpose: to initiate a conversation about cervical cancer.

"I am alive. I didn't die of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the hundreds and thousands of women who have lost their lives due to cervical cancer," expressed Ms. Pandey.

Despite the intention to raise awareness, the model and actor faced severe backlash on social media. Many users  criticized her for resorting to extreme measures, accusing her of "faking her death" for publicity. This incident has ignited a broader debate on the ethical boundaries of employing unconventional strategies in public health campaigns, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and sensitivity in such awareness initiatives.

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