Imanvi, the debutant actress cast opposite Prabhas in the upcoming period war drama Fauji, has found herself at the center of a heated social media controversy following unverified claims about her family’s alleged ties to the Pakistan Army. The uproar began in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed nearly 28 civilians in Kashmir and has since reignited nationalistic sentiments online.
Soon after the tragedy, rumors began surfacing online alleging that Imanvi—whose full name is Iman Esmail—had Pakistani heritage and that her father once served as a Major in the Pakistan Army before moving to the United States. The baseless speculation sparked a wave of outrage, with some social media users demanding her removal from Fauji.
In response to the backlash, Imanvi issued a heartfelt statement on social media, where she not only condemned the Pahalgam attack but also denied all allegations connecting her family to the Pakistani military. “These are falsehoods fabricated by online trolls meant to spread hate and division,” she wrote. “No one in my family has ever had any association with the Pakistani military. These rumours are completely baseless and deeply hurtful.”
Expressing disappointment over the irresponsible spread of misinformation, she criticized some media outlets and individuals for sharing the claims without verification. She went on to clarify her background, identifying herself as a proud Indian American born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, she stated, immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and later became American citizens.
Imanvi emphasized her deep-rooted connection to Indian culture, noting her fluency in Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati, and English, and her long-standing passion for Indian cinema. After graduating from university in the U.S., she pursued a career in the arts as an actor, dancer, and choreographer, and described her Bollywood debut as a dream come true.
“I hope to add to the incredible legacy of the trailblazers that came before me,” she said, underlining her vision to use art as a bridge for unity and healing, not division.
Concluding her message with a plea for peace and compassion, Imanvi said, “As we mourn the tragic loss of life, let’s continue to spread love and uplift one another.” Her dignified response has since garnered support from fans and industry colleagues, who are rallying behind the actress amid the controversy.
