Celebrity death hoaxes have become a trend nowadays that has killed several stars worldwide. While, some news origin from fake news websites, some are started after a wrong tweet or message.
As explained by CNET editor Tim Stevens, these fake websites make money by publishing hoax stories. But the reports also cause panic among the family members and fans of the celebrities.
The death hoax reports have increased significantly in the past few years and even Bollywood celebrities haven't been spared.
Here are few celebrities who were killed online:
Dilip Kumar: The veteran actor became the latest victim of a celeb death hoax. The rumours started doing the rounds on Twitter after a filmmaker retweeted an old tweet about Dilip Kumar's death, Daily Bhaskar reported.
However, Amitabh Bachchan rubbished all rumours and confirmed that the actor is alive and well.
"Some baseless rumours being spread about Yusuf Saheb - Dilip Kumar, being ill .. Saira ji just informed me he is perfectly fine," Big B tweeted.
This is not the first time the "Devdas" actor became a victim of death hoax. In 2011, there were reports that Dilip Kumar's health deteriorated. Some even tweeted 'RIP Dilip Kumar' messages, following which the fake report went viral. Later, Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu issued a statement saying that the actor is perfectly fine.
Rajinikanth: Twitteratti have not even spared the megastar Rajinikanth. Fake death reports of Rajinikanth spread in 2011 on Twitter. However, the megastar issued a statement to clarify his fake death reports.
Amitabh Bachchan: It was mistakenly assumed that the person who died in a car crash in 2012 was Sr. Bachchan. A blog carried a report stating "Amitabh Bachan died in a car crash on Route 80 between Morristown and Roswell." The news caused panic amongst fans of Big B, but the reported turned out to be false. [Read the full report here]
The actor is alive and doing fine. He is currently working on his upcoming films and television serial.
Kader Khan: The legendary actor became a victim of death hoax in February 2013. Rumour mongers went a step ahead and made a Facebook page "RIP Kader Khan," which caused panic amongst his fans. [Read the report here]
Later, the actor told a news agency that he is alive and is in good health. He also said that his family members are upset with the fake news doing rounds on the internet.
Ayushmann Khurrana: The "Vicky Donor" actor also became the victim of death hoax last year in April. Global Associated News website, which is known for reporting false news, said the actor died in a skiing accident in Switzerland where he was holidaying with his family.
The actor later took to Twitter to rubbish rumours about his death. "I have been hearing some bizarre rumors about my demise. RIP rumor mongers. Thanks," he tweeted.
Hrithik Roshan: Bollywood heartthrob Roshan's fake death news started doing the rounds after Kamaal R Khan posted RIP messages on twitter in February this year. "My sources have confirmed from Scotland that Hrithik Roshan died bcuz of AIDS disease. Doctors were not able to save him. Kangana vidwaa now," KRK tweeted.
But the post did not make an impact on Roshan's fans as they knew that the news was fake. Post that news, Roshan made several public appearances. He is currently shooting for his film "Bang Bang" in Abu Dhabi.
Lata Mangeshkar: The "Nightingale of India" was also declared dead by hoaxers. The rumours started after Mangeshkar tweeted about the death of late yesteryear actress Nanda. But the singer immediately took to his twitter handle to slam the report. [Read the full story here]
"Namaskar. Meri tabiyat ke baare mein afwaayein phail rahi hai. Par aap sab ka pyar aur duaaien hain ke meri tabiyat bilkul thik hai," she said.
Yo Yo Honey Singh: The fake death reports of the rapper started when a picture of a dead man, who looked very similar to Honey Singh, surfaced online. But his fans slammed the reports saying that Singh is in Dubai.
Singh also posted on his twitter handle that the news is not true and he is fine. "News of YoYo's accident is a fake rumour must be spread by some haters. Please don't bother and Keep blessing YoYo," he posted on his official Twitter handle.
