The 'Death Hoax' Epidemic: When Media Misinformation Shakes Indian Cinema

The premature and false reports of veteran actor Dharmendra's passing—which forced his family, including daughters Hema Malini and Esha Deol, to issue urgent clarifications—is a disturbing reminder of a recurring 'death hoax' epidemic plaguing the Indian film industry. This reckless spread of misinformation, primarily fueled by unverified social media chatter and often amplified by traditional media in a race for clicks, causes profound distress to the celebrities and their loved ones. Dharmendra is far from the first icon to be "killed" by the internet. The legendary Amitabh Bachchan has been a victim of death hoaxes on multiple occasions, with fake reports of car crashes and health crises repeatedly circulating, leading to unnecessary panic among his global fanbase. Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan had to take to social media to humorously debunk a 2017 rumor that claimed he had died in a plane crash. Other notable actors like Dilip Kumar (before his actual passing), Paresh Rawal , and even singers like Lata Mangeshkar have been targeted by these fabricated stories, forcing them or their families to publicly confirm they are alive and well. In September 2025, a rumour spread that Kajal Aggarwal had died in a car accident. She had to take to social media to debunk the "baseless news," reassuring fans that she was "perfectly fine, safe, and doing very well." In March 2023, false reports of Kota Srinivasa Rao 's demise went viral on social media. He had to personally release a video confirming he was alive and well, appealing to the public not to believe or spread fake news. Also Read : The Enduring Legacy: Biopics and Documentaries on Michael Jackson Event movies score well among Top 10 re-releases in India