Viral Funeral Video Controversy: Ishitta Arun’s Measured Response

New Delhi, October 27, 2025: A video taken at the funeral of advertising icon Piyush Pandey, showing Ishitta Arun and her mother, Ila Arun, smiling, was widely circulated on social media, leading to considerable public criticism. The footage, which captured a brief moment of apparent levity during the solemn occasion, was met with harsh judgment and accusations of disrespect by numerous online commentators. A public statement was subsequently issued by Ishitta Arun to address the intense backlash that had been directed towards her and her mother.

Grief is Not a Single Script

In her response, Ishitta Arun defended the captured moment, arguing that grief is not restricted to a single, prescribed reaction. It was asserted by her that the laughter seen in the clip was a direct, authentic response to a memory of her late uncle. She explained that the smile was prompted by a recollection of a specific, characteristic line spoken by Piyush Pandey—a line that only he could have delivered. This explanation was offered as context for the momentary happiness witnessed in the footage.

It was emphasized that for a man who was known for laughing loudly and living with immense joy, remembering him through laughter could not be considered disrespectful. This perspective was presented as an act of continuity and a genuine reflection of his true personality.

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A Message to the Commentariat

A strong message was directed by Ishitta Arun to the online trolls and media platforms that had amplified the video without context. It was stressed that grief is not an emotion that can be staged or muted merely to make strangers feel comfortable. She insisted that her family’s memory of the deceased was being honored honestly, through feelings of laughter, courage, and life itself, rather than by a forced display of mourning.

The statement concluded with a direct instruction: the full story must be known before public comments are made on a private moment. This demand for a more informed and empathetic response from the public was widely shared, drawing attention to the ethics of scrutinizing personal sorrow on public platforms. The incident has thus sparked a broader discussion on the appropriate expression of grief and the pervasive nature of instant online judgment.