Poonam Pandey joins Jantar Mantar protest:From faking her death to wardrobe malfunctions, times she made headlines

Model and actor Poonam Pandey has spent more than a decade in the spotlight, often for reasons beyond her acting career. From bold publicity stunts and legal troubles to reality shows and controversial public statements, she has repeatedly made headlines. Most recently, Poonam once again grabbed attention after she reached Jantar Mantar to support students protesting over education-related issues. While some social media users praised her for standing with the students, others questioned whether her presence diverted attention from the protest itself. However, this is far from the first time Poonam has found herself at the centre of controversy. Here's a look at some of the incidents that have kept her in the news over the years. The 2011 World Cup promise made her a household name Poonam first became a national talking point during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Before the tournament ended, she publicly announced that she would strip if India won the World Cup. The statement dominated entertainment news channels, newspapers and television debates for days. Although India lifted the trophy under MS Dhoni's captaincy, the promise was never fulfilled. Even today, the episode is remembered as one of the biggest publicity stunts in Indian entertainment and helped establish Poonam's image as a celebrity who was never afraid of controversy. Marriage followed by assault allegations Just days after their wedding in September 2020, Poonam filed a police complaint against her husband, Sam Bombay, while they were in Goa. She accused him of assault, molestation, and criminal intimidation. Following the complaint, Goa Police arrested Sam Bombay. The case received widespread media coverage because it came less than two weeks after the couple's wedding. Although the two later reconciled briefly and appeared together again, their relationship continued to remain under public scrutiny before eventually ending. Legal trouble in Goa after wedding In September 2020, shortly after marrying filmmaker Sam Bombay, Poonam landed in legal trouble in Goa. An FIR was registered against the couple after they allegedly shot an objectionable video inside the Chapoli Dam premises, which is government property. Goa Police detained both Poonam and Sam Bombay before they were later granted bail. The incident sparked political debate in the state, with questions being raised about permissions for the shoot. The controversy remained in the headlines for several days. Participation in Lock Upp created headlines In 2022, Poonam participated in Kangana Ranaut's reality show Lock Upp. Throughout the season, she frequently grabbed attention for her bold statements and emotional revelations. One particular moment that went viral was when she promised fans that she would share a special video if they voted to save her from elimination. The statement generated massive discussion online, with some viewers calling it clever gameplay while others criticised it as another publicity stunt. The fake death announcement shocked the country Perhaps the biggest controversy of Poonam Pandey's career came in February 2024. On February 2, 2024, a post shared on her official Instagram account claimed that she had died due to cervical cancer. The news spread rapidly, with celebrities, media organisations and fans posting condolence messages. Less than 24 hours later, Poonam uploaded a video confirming that she was alive. She explained that the campaign had been planned to spread awareness about cervical cancer and encourage women to undergo regular screening. The campaign, however, triggered widespread criticism. Several celebrities, doctors, and public health experts questioned the decision to spread false news in the name of awareness. Many social media users also accused her of causing unnecessary panic. Her agency later apologised for the campaign, while reports said legal complaints and a defamation suit were also filed over the incident. Bold social media content often sparked debate Long before influencer culture became mainstream, Poonam had built a strong presence on social media through bold photos and videos. Over the years, several of her posts attracted criticism, while some were reportedly removed from platforms for allegedly violating community guidelines. Supporters defended her right to express herself freely, whereas critics often accused her of deliberately creating controversy to remain in the spotlight. baby bump prank that grabbed attention On March 3, Poonam Pandey surprised her followers by sharing a photo on Instagram in which she appeared to be flaunting a baby bump. The post quickly went viral, leaving many fans and social media users wondering if she was expecting her first child. Nearly a month later, on April 1, Poonam revealed that the pregnancy announcement was an April Fools' Day prank. While some users found the prank amusing, many criticised her for making light of pregnancy and misleading her followers, turning it into yet another controversy.