Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap has become the latest victim of a fake death hoax after facing intense backlash for her channel’s erroneous reporting on veteran actor Dharmendra’s health. The senior journalist found herself at the center of online trolling and confusion after false claims of her own death circulated on social media.
The controversy began on November 11, 2025, when Aaj Tak mistakenly reported Dharmendra’s death during his hospitalization at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. The news triggered massive public anger until the actor’s family issued an official clarification confirming he was alive and responding to treatment.
Anjana Om Kashyap’s First Post After the Fake Death Hoax
Two days later, on November 13, social media platforms surfaced with posts falsely claiming Anjana Om Kashyap had died. In one viral video, an Instagram user was seen crying in front of a framed photo of the journalist adorned with a garland, mimicking a condolence ritual.
Despite the widespread trolling, Anjana appeared unfazed. Her first post after the hoax appeared on Instagram approximately ten hours ago, showing her reporting on unrelated national news events. The comment section, however, was flooded with messages referencing the fake hoax and memes associated with the circulating video.
Social media users are divided over the online reaction. While some expressed anger towards Aaj Tak’s earlier error regarding Dharmendra, many others condemned the fake death hoax targeting Anjana, calling it unethical and unnecessary. Numerous users pointed out that retaliating with misinformation is equally harmful.
Who Is Anjana Om Kashyap?
Anjana Om Kashyap, 50, is a well-known senior TV journalist and anchor at Aaj Tak. Born and raised in Ranchi, she is the daughter of Om Prakash Tiwari, who served as a doctor in the Indian Army. After studying at Delhi University, she pursued a journalism diploma from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Her career began with Doordarshan, where she hosted the investigative show Aankhon Dekhi. She later joined Zee News and eventually became one of the leading faces of Aaj Tak, known for her prime-time presence and field reporting.
Dharmendra’s Family Reacts to the Fake Reporting
The hoax targeting Anjana comes just days after Dharmendra’s family strongly criticized media outlets for spreading false information about the actor’s health. Hema Malini expressed her frustration on X, condemning channels for announcing Dharmendra’s death while he was still recovering.
Her statement read:
“What is happening is unforgivable. How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please respect the family’s need for privacy.”
Esha Deol also issued a statement on Instagram, clarifying that her father was stable and recovering. She urged the media to stop spreading misinformation and requested privacy for the family.
The Debate Over Media Responsibility and Viral Hoaxes
The dual controversies — Aaj Tak’s erroneous reporting and the fake death hoax targeting Anjana — have sparked a wider conversation online about the ethics of journalism, social media behavior, and the growing issue of misinformation.
While Dharmendra has since been discharged and is recovering at home, the chain reaction of false reporting and retaliatory hoaxes continues to highlight the delicate balance between news reporting and public responsibility.
