Recently, controversial cine-star Poonam Pandey spread fake news about her own death to spread awareness about a disease. She wanted people to know that the disease was serious and wanted people to be aware of everything about it. It was supposed to be a "noble" stunt, since naturally people try to search more about every new disease they get to know celebrities are dying with. In that aspect, I don't blame her for the mentioned stunt. But the controversy has unfolded in some unexpected manners, and she is about to land herself in legal trouble with it. Hence, we need to analyze more aspects about it.
Many famous people including from film industry and politics are accusing Poonam Pandey of doing the stunt "for cheap publicity". These people don't realize that when such people are making statements in front of media, they are themselves looking like that - "seeking cheap publicity". Otherwise, which celebrity who charges clients lakhs for rupees for their time wastes time and energy in commenting on other people and their cheap stunts?
Secondly, there is another interesting set of celebrities and many actresses who are attacking Poonam viciously, as if she has done a sin of catastrophic proportion. These folks look like they are "disappointed" with the revelation that Poonam Pandey is still alive! They had readily expressed their condolences and shed crocodile tears at her death news, and how dare she say next day that she is still alive?
Another set of people are trying to act too "touchy" and "sensitive" as if they are really new to the world of internet, social media and publicity stunts. Such gimmicks are neither new nor a sin, and we can't blame a celerity for our own ignorance about it.
Through "fake news" about her death, Poonam Pandey has taken a leaf out of celebrities and social media stars from the Western countries. I have come across many such "cheap publicity" stunts from the likes of PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals), when they show their artists posing dead and disfigured in real public places like roadsides. Those incidents are far more shocking and impactful as compared to a humble "Instagram post", which Poonam Pandey's team used for their stunt. If you are not sure, just search with Bing about it.
Now, coming back the medical awareness about the disease, I think it is important to know that some things appeal to people and somethings do not. You can't make people aware about every single disease in the world. Yet, there are some disease which are acting as hidden time-bombs for society, and society by large is unaware of even its existence. In such cases it is the duty of government to make people aware about the disease, their symptoms and their cure. I don't think it is the duty of film stars or individual celebrities to take up the role social reformers, but if anyone choses to do so, it is up to them, and we have to respect their decision and move on.
In all, I respect the decision of Poonam Pandey to choose this controversial stunt for whatever purpose she thought it will serve. Just because I do not like it, it does not give me right to ask another person to be arrested for doing it, as many are calling for her arrest. We need to realize that the stunt was harmless (though her team did not write, "no animals were harmed during posting this Instagram fake news") and all it ever achieved was some food for thought for people on social media, who anyway look for such fodder, and hence have no right to complaint. Just like I got a topic to write this blogpost due to Poonam Pandey, all social media handles talking about it should thank her for getting one more "punchbag" to hit, with their videos and channels.
As India moves ahead on its path to become a "first world" nation, we are bound to come across "first world challenges" and "first world problems". This fake news stunt is very much part of the same problem/opportunity.
I request everyone to take this controversy in right spirits and do not go overboard in a "digital witch hunt" against her.
- Rahul
Disclaimer: No animals were harmed during writing of this blog post.
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