Renowned actor-model Poonam Pandey has succumbed to cervical cancer, as announced by her team on Friday through her Instagram account. The statement conveyed, “Every living form that ever came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness.” Poonam, known for her controversial presence on social media, leaves behind a legacy that garnered attention for both her career and personal life.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 11, 1991, in Kanpur, Poonam embarked on her career as a model. She gained prominence as one of the top nine contestants in the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest, even gracing the cover of the magazine. Her on-screen debut occurred in the 2013 film “Nasha,” where she portrayed a teacher in a relationship with her student. Controversy surrounded the film’s poster, leading to protests and the burning of posters by a group of protestors.
Rise to Infamy through Provocative Content
Poonam’s social media presence, particularly on Instagram and other platforms, became known for sharing provocative pictures. In 2011, she made headlines by promising to strip if the Indian cricket team won the World Cup, a promise she claimed she couldn’t fulfil due to denial of permission by the BCCI. In 2012, she posed nude after the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL victory. Poonam also faced a ban from Google for her app’s content violation, although it later became available on her website.
An Unconventional Career Path
After her debut film, Poonam ventured into Bhojpuri, Telugu, and Hindi films, in addition to featuring in special numbers. Her last release, the 2018 film “The Journey of Karma,” marked a shift towards releasing exclusive content on her website and app, accessible behind a paywall. She also participated in TV shows like “Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 4” and “Lock Upp,” portraying characters like Jalebi Bai in shows such as “Total Nadaniyaan” and “Pyaar Mohabbat Ssshhh.”
Love, Marriage, and Controversies
Poonam tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend, Sam Bombay, on September 1, 2020, in Mumbai. However, their marriage faced turmoil, with Poonam filing a complaint against Sam on September 11, accusing him of molestation, threats, and assault, resulting in his arrest in Goa. She disclosed suffering a brain haemorrhage due to the alleged assault. Despite the legal troubles, the couple reconciled after Sam’s release on bail. In November of the same year, Poonam faced legal issues herself, being arrested for filming a nude video in Goa. The couple eventually separated in 2021.
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