Imanvi reacts to calls for her removal from Prabhas film 'Fauji' post Phalagam terror attack, slams false allegations about being Pakistani

Social media fame Imanvi Ismail will be making her film debut opposite pan-India star Prabhas in the Hanu Raghavapudi directorial which is rumoured to be named, 'Fauji'. After the loss of innocent lives in Pahalgam, a section of social media users began targeting Muslim film personalities, including Imanvi. Some falsely claimed she is Pakistani and demanded her removal from the film, despite there being no evidence to support these claims.
Imanvi took to Instagram where she shared her deep condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam attack, strongly condemning the violence and calling for unity and healing. She also addressed the false rumors about her background, Imanvi made it clear that she is not Pakistani and that neither she nor anyone in her family has any association with the Pakistani military.

Her long post reads, "I also want to address rumors and lies that have been falsely spread about my identity and my family via fake news sources and online media in order to create division and spread hate. Firstly, nobody in my family has ever been or is currently associated with the Pakistani military in any way. This and multiple other falsehoods have been fabricated by online trolls for the sole purpose of spreading hate. What is especially disappointing is that legitimate news outlets, journalists, and those on social media failed to investigate their source material and instead have simply repeated these slanderous statements."
Imanvi clarified her roots, stating she is a proud Indian-American, born in Los Angeles after her parents legally immigrated to the United States and became citizens. Fluent in Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati, and English, she has always felt a strong connection to Indian culture and is grateful for the opportunity to work in the Indian film industry, which she has admired since childhood.

She added, "Upon completing my university education in the USA, I pursued a career in the arts as an actor, choreographer, and dancer. After much work in this realm, I am incredibly grateful to receive opportunities to work in the Indian film industry. This same film industry has been a great influence in my life, and I hope to add to the incredible legacy of the trailblazers that came before me. As someone who has Indian identity and culture running deep in my blood, I hope to use this medium as a form of unity and not divisiveness."
She called on her followers and the wider public to use art as a tool for unity, empathy, and understanding, especially during times of pain and loss. She also mentioned people to verify facts before spreading or believing rumors and to judge others by their work and character, not by their name or background.
For the unversed, Imanvi Ismail became famous primarily through her viral dance videos on social media, especially her choreography to the Tamil song 'Tum Tum' from the film Enemy. In 2023, Imanvi's 'Tum Tum' dance clip, where she performed in a modest anarkali outfit, captured the internet’s attention for its graceful and easy-to-follow moves. The video quickly racked up over 4 million likes and millions of views on Instagram alone, inspiring many fans and other dancers to recreate her steps.
Her popularity as a social media sensation and her reputation as a skilled dancer and choreographer led to her big break in Indian cinema. In August 2024, she was announced as the female lead opposite Prabhas in the period action film 'Fauji'.