“Javed Akhtar dead 2024” : Poet killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • New Delhi
  • Last updated on

Javed Akhtar is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax
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News of poet Javed Akhtar’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 79-year-old poet is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Javed Akhtar death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the poet’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Javed Akhtar’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Indian poet’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (December 20, 2024), our beloved poet Javed Akhtar passed away. Javed Akhtar was born on January 7, 1945 in Gwalior. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 79-year-old poet was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Indian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a poet of Javed Akhtar's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (85%) of respondents think those Javed Akhtar death rumors are not funny anymore.

Javed Akhtar Death Hoax Dismissed Since Poet Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (December 21) the poet's reps officially confirmed that Javed Akhtar is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved poet. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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