Unravelling the virality of death hoaxes—featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar and now Shreyas Talpade

The internet was lately abuzz with viral news claiming that Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade had passed away, leaving his fans in shock. However, the report has since been debunked as a hoax, with the actor from ‘Om Shanti Om’—a movie around reincarnation, funnily enough!—taking to social media to clarify the situation himself.

From fake rumours of Amitabh Bachchan dying in a car crash in the US to Lata Mangeshkar tweeting to confirm she’s alive and well back in 2019, India has seen its fair share of death hoaxes. Other celebrities such as Dilip Kumar, Madhuri Dixit and Shakti Kapoor have been victims of such rumours as well.

The rise of such hoaxes, especially concerning celebrities, has become a notable trend in the digital age. These false reports can spread swiftly across social media, often leading to widespread confusion, misinformation and even real-world repercussions.

But what drives these hoaxes to go viral? Why do false reports, particularly those about the deaths of celebrities and public figures, gain so much traction? Let's find out!

The super-spreading social media

Starting with the obvious, social media platforms have fundamentally changed the way information is shared. News can now travel at unprecedented speeds, with users eager to be the first to share breaking stories. This eagerness often results in the rapid spread of unverified claims, as seen in many instances where death hoaxes gained momentum before being debunked.

However, it's worth noting that death hoaxes are not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, there have been notable instances of false death reports. Recorded examples include rumours involving celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and Frank Sinatra after Franklin Roosevelt's death in 1945.

Public fascination with celebrity culture

The widespread fascination, even obsession, with celebrity culture also fuels the virality of death hoaxes. Celebrities are often perceived as larger-than-life figures, making their lives and deaths of public interest. This cultural fixation creates fertile ground for rumours and hoaxes to thrive.

When a celebrity death hoax is reported, it grabs attention not only because of the shock factor, but also because it reflects societal interests. The allure of sensational news about well-known figures often leads individuals to share such content, sometimes prioritising the excitement of the news over its accuracy.

Emotional engagement

Death hoaxes often provoke strong emotional responses, particularly when they involve beloved celebrities. The news of a celebrity's death can elicit shock, grief and disbelief among fans. This emotional connection is rooted in the personal significance many individuals attribute to public figures, who influence their lives through music, film or other entertainment forms.

When a death hoax emerges, it taps into these emotions, leading fans to share the news rapidly, often without verifying its accuracy. The immediate emotional impact can cloud judgement, causing misinformation to spread quickly.

Deliberate spread of misinformation and scams

Some death hoaxes are deliberately crafted to deceive users for malicious reasons. Scammers often use these hoaxes to drive traffic to fake news articles, which can lead to the installation of malware or other harmful software on unsuspecting users' devices. This trend underscores a more sinister aspect of the virality of death hoaxes, where the allure of shocking news is exploited for financial gain.
The widespread circulation of death hoaxes is a complex interplay of emotional engagement, social media dynamics, cultural fascination and malicious intent. As society navigates the challenges posed by these hoaxes, it becomes increasingly vital to approach death reports with a critical mindset, fostering a more informed and sceptical public that values accuracy over sensationalism.