Poonam Pandey death: Controversial Bollywood actor dies after ...

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Bollywood actor and model Poonam Pandey has died from cervical cancer at the age of 32, according to a shock statement shared on social media.

Her team shared a post on Pandey’s Instagram account, with over 1.3 million followers, on Friday (2 February), which read: “This morning is a tough one for us.

“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 manager Nikita Sharma, in a statement to NDTV.

“Poonam Pandey, the beloved actress and social media personality, has tragically passed away this morning due to cervical cancer, leaving the entertainment industry in shock and mourning,” Sharma reportedly said.

Originally from Kanpur, India, Pandey relocated to the country’s entertainment capital Mumbai when she made her Bollywood debut with the 2013 film Nasha (”Intoxication”).

In the erotic thriller movie, she played the lead role of Anita, a drama teacher who engages in a controversial romantic relationship with a student.

She last appeared in the first season of Indian reality show Lock Upp, hosted by actor Kangana Ranaut, in 2022. The show follows 19 “misunderstood” or controversial celebrities who must rough it out in a makeshift “prison” while completing various tasks to be set free.

In the wake of Pandey’s death, several celebrities – including Bollywood star Ranaut – paid tribute to Pandey on social media.

Writing on her Instagram Stories, Ranaut wrote: “This is so sad. Losing a young woman to cancer is a catastrophe.”

Stand-up comedian and Pandey’s fellow “inmate” on Lock Upp, Munawar Faruqui tweeted: “Can’t process the news. Poonam was great human being. Sad. RIP (rest in peace).”

Actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “So tragic to hear about Poonam Pandey. I had never met her, but when life claims someone so young it is always devastating.

“My prayers and deepest condolences to her family, friends and everyone whose life she impacted.”

During her decade-long career in the entertainment industry, Pandey also appeared in films such as Love is Poison, Malini & Co, and The Journey of Karma while also pursuing a career as a model and social media influencer.

She married ad filmmaker Sam Bombay on 10 September 2020 but their relationship later became embroiled in a domestic abuse case.

Two months after they tied the knot, Pandey accused Bombay of physical assault, leading to his arrest in Goa.

In a statement to India Today at the time, police confirmed: “Actress Poonam Pandey’s husband, Sam Bombay, was arrested yesterday in Mumbai after the actress complained that he assaulted her. Poonam Pandey was admitted to a hospital.”

A week after she filed the domestic abuse case against Bombay, it was reported the pair had reconciled and were back together.

“We are trying to iron out things and have more or less sorted it all out,” she told The Times of India. “We are back together. You know what? We both love each other too much. We are madly in love. And, which shaadi (marriage) does not have its ups and downs?”