In a bizarre turn of events, senior journalist and Aaj Tak news anchor Anjana Om Kashyap became the unexpected victim of a fake death hoax on social media. The controversy erupted shortly after Aaj Tak mistakenly reported the death of veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, triggering a wave of confusion, misinformation, and outrage online.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing menace of fake news and the speed at which misinformation spreads in the digital age even targeting some of India’s most well-known media figures.
Aaj Tak’s Costly Blunder: Dharmendra’s “Death” That Never Happened
It all began when Aaj Tak, one of India’s leading Hindi news channels, briefly aired a breaking news ticker claiming that veteran actor Dharmendra had passed away. Within minutes, screenshots and video clips of the broadcast began circulating across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp.
The erroneous report caused panic among fans of the 89-year-old actor, who is widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved figures. However, the report was soon debunked as false, with family sources confirming that Dharmendra was alive and recovering in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he had been admitted earlier for a routine check-up.
Aaj Tak quickly retracted the report and issued an on-air clarification, acknowledging the error and apologizing for the confusion. But by then, the damage was done the channel had become the center of a social media storm.
From Reporting News to Becoming News: The Anjana Om Kashyap Twist
As outrage mounted against Aaj Tak, the controversy took a strange and disturbing turn. Fake posts began to circulate claiming that Anjana Om Kashyap herself had died a completely fabricated claim that had no basis in reality.
Several social media handles shared morphed screenshots and edited video clips, some even using the channel’s logo, to falsely announce the journalist’s “demise.” Others falsely attributed quotes to her, claiming she had “collapsed on live TV” after the Dharmendra report mishap.
The rumors spread rapidly, particularly on X and Facebook, where users began expressing shock and condolences before fact-checkers intervened. Some posts even falsely linked her alleged death to “mental stress” after the Aaj Tak error a baseless and unethical claim that underscored the recklessness of online rumor mills.
Fact-Check: Anjana Om Kashyap Is Alive and Well
Within hours, fact-checking organizations and several verified journalists stepped in to clarify that Anjana Om Kashyap is alive and healthy.
Aaj Tak’s digital arm also posted a statement dismissing the viral reports as “completely false and misleading.”
“Some irresponsible social media accounts are spreading fake news about our anchor Anjana Om Kashyap. These claims are entirely baseless. We urge people not to believe or share such misinformation,” the channel said in a statement.
Anjana herself later posted a brief response on X, addressing the rumors with calm professionalism:
“Fake news spreads faster than truth. I am safe, working, and very much alive. Let’s not normalize lies in the name of news.”
Her dignified response was widely appreciated by viewers and fellow journalists, many of whom condemned the online harassment she faced.
Outrage Over Media Accountability and Ethics
The twin incidents first the false Dharmendra report, then the fabricated death of Anjana Om Kashyap reignited debate over journalistic responsibility and social media ethics.
Media observers pointed out that the pressure for breaking news and instant updates often leads to lapses in verification. In an era of cut-throat competition among TV news channels, even a few seconds of unverified reporting can spiral into nationwide misinformation.
“When a major channel like Aaj Tak makes an error, it doesn’t just hurt credibility it creates chaos,” said senior media analyst Rajdeep Banerjee. Even worse is the way trolls take advantage of that instant to launch personal assaults on journalists. This is not just about fake news; it’s about the culture of online toxicity.”
The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) reportedly issued a private advisory to member channels, urging them to reinforce editorial checks before airing breaking news, especially regarding the health or death of public figures.
Social Media’s Role: Amplifier or Arsonist?
The episode also served as a grim reminder of how social media amplifies misinformation in real-time. Algorithms designed to promote engagement often push sensational or emotionally charged content higher in users’ feeds regardless of its accuracy.
In this case, within minutes of the Aaj Tak broadcast, the “Dharmendra dead” story was trending on X, only to be replaced hours later by “Anjana Om Kashyap death” both completely false at different points.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such coordinated misinformation campaigns may not always be random. Some appear deliberately orchestrated to damage reputations, manipulate public sentiment, or discredit media institutions.
“We’ve seen patterns of targeted disinformation before where a public figure becomes the subject of a fake death rumor or scandal to erode trust,” said digital security researcher Priya Tandon. “In Anjana’s case, the timing right after the Dharmendra mistake suggests opportunistic trolling.”
Public Reaction: Sympathy, Support, and Sarcasm
While many users expressed sympathy for Anjana and demanded action against the fake news creators, others used the occasion to take sarcastic jabs at the channel’s credibility. Memes, jokes, and parody videos flooded X and Instagram, reflecting the dark humor that often accompanies viral news in India.
“First Dharmendra, now Anjana Om Kashyap? Aaj Tak should report next on who’s really alive,” one user wrote in a viral post.
However, amid the humor, several celebrities and media colleagues condemned the hoax and urged responsible social media use. Senior journalist Ravish Kumar posted on his personal blog, writing:
“Fake news is no longer about mistakes it’s about malice. Today, a journalist can become the victim of the very misinformation she fights against.”
Aaj Tak Under Fire: Trust Deficit and Public Apology
Facing mounting criticism, Aaj Tak issued a formal apology during its prime-time broadcast, taking responsibility for the initial Dharmendra report error. The channel stated that a “technical and editorial lapse” had caused the confusion and assured viewers that internal review mechanisms were being strengthened.
“We regret the misinformation aired earlier regarding veteran actor Dharmendra. The mistake was unintentional, and we apologize to our viewers,” the statement read.
Despite the apology, the network continues to face a trust deficit among audiences, many of whom called for stronger editorial accountability and real-time fact-checking protocols before publishing or airing sensitive updates.
The Larger Issue: Why Fake News Thrives
Incidents like these underscore how digital misinformation has become a serious threat to journalism’s credibility. Whether it’s a celebrity death hoax or a political rumour, the pattern remains the same speed overtakes accuracy, and emotion eclipses ethics.
Experts believe part of the solution lies in media literacy and digital verification training. Viewers must learn to double-check sources before forwarding or reacting to viral posts. At the same time, newsrooms must embrace AI-assisted fact-checking tools and multi-level verification systems to avoid costly mistakes.
Anjana Om Kashyap’s Calm Amid Chaos
Despite the chaos, Anjana Om Kashyap maintained her composure and returned to anchoring within hours. Colleagues praised her professionalism and resilience in the face of a deeply personal attack.
The anchor, known for her sharp debates and assertive style, has often been a polarizing figure in Indian journalism admired by some for her boldness, criticized by others for her tone. Yet, the death hoax incident united voices across ideological lines, with both supporters and critics condemning the false narrative.
Her succinct post “Let’s not normalize lies in the name of news” became one of the most shared quotes of the day, symbolizing the fight against misinformation in an era where truth often struggles to keep pace with virality.
A Wake-Up Call for the Media Ecosystem
The Anjana Om Kashyap fake death hoax following Aaj Tak’s false Dharmendra report serves as a stark reminder that journalism and social media are at a crossroads. The speed of digital news has outpaced the mechanisms of verification, and the cost is public trust.
As India’s media landscape continues to evolve, this episode should serve as a wake-up call for news organizations to strengthen fact-checking, for platforms to curb misinformation, and for audiences to consume news with skepticism rather than sentiment.
For now, both Dharmendra and Anjana Om Kashyap are alive but the truth itself remains under threat in the fast-scrolling world of breaking news.
