Make-Up Artist Clarifies Thar Accident After Viral Misconceptions

On September 8, 2023, a Mahindra Thar Roxx fell from the first floor of a showroom in Nirman Vihar, East Delhi, during a delivery ritual. Four individuals inside the vehicle, including make-up artist Maani Pawar, her husband Pradeep Pawar, her sister, and a salesperson, escaped without serious injuries. The incident quickly gained traction online, with many social media posts incorrectly attributing the driving responsibility to Maani.

Maani, aged 29, clarified the situation, stating, “I was not driving; my husband was.” She expressed frustration over the sexist memes and false claims that were directed at her following the accident. According to her, the couple visited the showroom to collect the vehicle on her birthday, and as part of a customary ritual, they placed a lemon under the wheels before moving the car. Unexpectedly, the vehicle accelerated, crashed through the showroom’s glass window, and toppled onto the road.

Reflecting on the frightening experience, Maani recalled, “Maut saamne dikh gayi thi,” which translates to “Death was right in front of us.” She noted that it took her family a few days to fully comprehend the severity of the incident. In the aftermath, some people began to make light of the situation with jokes, asking, “Nimbu zinda hai ke nahi?” or “Is the lemon alive or not?”

Viral Claims and Clarifications

Maani expressed her concern about a viral video that falsely reported fatalities resulting from the accident. “I want to tell people that a misleading video went viral, claiming that someone died due to the accident my husband and I were involved in. To address that, I recorded a video and uploaded it on my Instagram to clarify that no one was hurt because of us,” she explained. Despite her efforts to set the record straight, Maani received harsh comments on her clarification video, prompting her to disable comments while keeping the video online to combat misinformation.

In addition to dealing with the fallout from the accident, Maani highlighted another issue: the misuse of her identity. She noted that her face had been digitally linked to other viral videos without her consent. “Initially, my face was not revealed, but they are now adding my face to another girl’s videos. That girl has also reached out to me about this situation. I am now creating a video to clarify this,” she stated.

Future Steps for the Pawar Family

Looking ahead, Maani and her family are focusing on the necessary steps to claim insurance for the damaged vehicle. She expressed hope that the process would be straightforward, as they have all the required documents in order. The couple is now working to move past the incident and the online misconceptions surrounding it.

This incident serves as a reminder of the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age and the impact it can have on individuals’ lives. Maani’s experience underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially in moments of crisis.