Poonam Pandey Cancels Maldives Trip After Offensive Remarks Against PM Modi

January 08, 2024: Bikini model Poonam Pandey has cancelled her planned trip to the Maldives and will be shooting in Lakshadweep instead. This decision comes after three Maldivian ministers were suspended for making offensive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Pandey, who is known for her frequent shoots in the Maldives, expressed her disappointment in a statement. “See, Maldives and I, I mean, I have had a long association,” she said. “I’ve been filming there. I don’t know how many shoots I’ve done there. A lot of calendar shoots, you know, being a bikini model for me, it’s, you know, near the beach, always, always.”

“They have spoken about our prime minister, our country,” she continued. “I mean, it’s not acceptable. You can’t say something like that. It’s nasty, especially when you’re getting so much business out of our country. I mean, every time that I’ve been to the Maldives, I only see Indians over there, like so many of them. So, you know, we are giving you so much business, and you are just sitting on that beautiful chair and you can speak whatever you feel like, you know, just because you have a position. And that also shows the kind of mentality you keep about my country and about my prime minister. So obviously, I’m not doing my shoots there, that’s for sure. And we have such a beautiful island, you know, Lakshadweep.”

Pandey’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised her for taking a stand against the Maldivian government, while others have criticized her for politicizing the issue.

Lakshadweep as an alternative destination

Lakshadweep is a group of islands off the coast of India that is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. It is a popular tourist destination for Indians, and Pandey is not the first Bollywood celebrity to shoot there.

Pandey’s decision to shoot in Lakshadweep is likely to boost tourism to the island. The Indian government has been investing heavily in Lakshadweep in recent years, and Pandey’s shoot could help to put the island on the map.

It remains to be seen whether Pandey’s decision will have any impact on the relationship between India and the Maldives. However, it is clear that she is not afraid to take a stand for what she believes in.