Ad industry doyen Piyush Pandey dies after brief illness
Mumbai, Oct 24 (PTI): Piyush Pandey, advertising industry legend who was behind a number of iconic campaigns, died in the early hours of Friday, his family said. He was 70.
His sister Ila Arun, an actor, said Pandey breathed his last at 5.50 am on Friday at a private hospital in Mumbai, where he was undergoing treatment for the last few days after complaining of respiratory complications.
"He was very fond of sports and used to describe our family as a team of 11, including nine siblings and our parents. Piyush was the naughtiest among all and the wittiest," Arun told PTI.
Pandey, who represented the Rajasthan cricket team in the Ranji Trophy, was behind a number of iconic campaigns, including those for brands such as Cadbury, Asian Paints, and Fevicol. He is credited to have advised on the communication strategies for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2014 election campaign.
He was awarded the Padma Shri -- the country's fourth highest civilian honour -- in 2016 in recognition of his achievements.
"He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications," the PM wrote in a condolence message on the microblogging site X.
"I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years," the PM added.
Tributes for Pandey, who had also penned the iconic 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' song celebrating the rich diversity of the country, flowed in from all across.
Billionaire Gautam Adani, the second richest Indian, said Pandey was more than just an advertising legend.
"He was the voice that made India believe in its own story. He gave Indian advertising its self-confidence, its soul, its 'swadeshi' swagger," Adani wrote on his X account.
Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal condoled the death of the creative genius.
Calling Pandey a "titan and legend" of Indian advertising, Sitharaman said he transformed communication by "bringing everyday idioms, earthy humour and genuine warmth".
Stating that she had interacted with Pandey on various occasions, the Finance Minister said his legacy will continue to inspire generations.
Her Union Cabinet colleague Goyal said Pandey was a phenomenon in the world of advertising and his creative genius redefined storytelling.
"To me, he was a friend whose brilliance shone through his authenticity, warmth, and wit," Goyal, who handles the commerce portfolio, said.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra said Pandey has left "gigantic footprints" on the ad industry, recollecting that the adman's "hearty laughs and irrepressible zest for life" will be remembered more than the brands he built.
Uday Kotak, the richest Indian banker, recalled his association, saying the Kotak Mahindra Bank was launched in 2003 with a campaign made by Pandey, who had described banking as "common sense".
"Amazing out of the box thinker and a humble person. He weaved creativity with an Indian context," Kotak wrote on X.
The Jaipur-born Pandey was advising his agency Ogilvy for the last few years, having taken a break from an active role. Pandey and his wife used to reside in central Mumbai's Shivaji Park neighbourhood.
His last rites will be performed at the Shivaji Park crematorium at 10.30 am on Saturday, Ila Arun added.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
