India’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement condemning the "malicious use of AI to spread fear." Nuclear security agencies reassured the public that facilities were safe and that Pandey’s name had no connection to radiological research. Dr. Priya Mehta, a nuclear physicist, told BBC Science: " The term 'dirty bomb' is often weaponized in conspiracy theories. Real threats come from unregulated nuclear waste or black-market material, not pop culture narratives. " Broader Implications The incident underscored urgent calls for AI regulation and media literacy. Pandey’s team donated $500,000 to organizations combating misinformation, framing the crisis as a "wake-up call for digital responsibility." Her subsequent film, "Truth Bombs" (2024), is a semi-autobiographical thriller exploring how misinformation can destabilize societies—a project she described as "personal and urgent."