Indian actor faces backlash for faking death for cancer awareness

Actor Poonam Pandey defends the move, saying it was an effort to raise awareness for cervical cancer.

Indian actor Poonam Pandey is facing backlash after faking her own death in what she says was an effort to raise awareness for cervical cancer.

The controversy began three days ago, when a statement posted to Pandey's Instagram announced her death. 

"This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer," the post said, in part.

But a day later, a video featuring the "dead" actor appeared on her Instagram.