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Piyush Pandey
Piyush Pandey, often called the father of Indian advertising, passed away on Friday at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy and a void that will be hard for anyone to fill.
In the advertising world, Pandey inspired generations of creative professionals.
Tribute to Piyush Pandey from PM Modi and other eminent people
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications. I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications. I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2025
Union Minister Piyush Goyal remembered Pandey as “a friend whose brilliance shone through his authenticity, warmth, and wit.” He extended condolences to his family, friends, and admirers, saying his demise would leave behind “a deep void that will be hard to fill.”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Pandey “a titan and legend of Indian advertising.”
Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak paid tribute to Piyush Pandey, describing Pandey as an “amazing out-of-the-box thinker and a humble person” who masterfully blended creativity with an Indian sensibility. “Will miss him,” he added.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared, “Piyush was a legend of Indian advertising. Through his work, he spoke a language that resonated with the entire nation and touched countless hearts. Our interactions during ad shoots were always filled with warmth and fun. He was deeply passionate about cricket, but his true genius lay in his ideas and words, ones that shaped brands and became a part of our culture.”
Who was Piyush Pandey?
Born in Jaipur in 1955, the advertising genius Piyush Pandey grew up in an ordinary household with nine siblings, including singer-actor Ila Arun and filmmaker Prasoon Pandey. Before entering advertising, he played cricket for Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy and even captained the state’s Under-22 team.
After a short time working as a tea taster, Pandey joined Ogilvy in client servicing. Six years later, he switched to a creative role in advertising. By 1992, he was Ogilvy’s National Creative Director, and in 2018, he became the company’s Chief Creative Officer Worldwide, the first Indian ever to hold that role.
His work reflected the true spirit of India in an honest, relatable, witty, and heartwarming way. From “Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai” to “Fevicol ka mazboot jod,” and from “Chalta Rahe Mere Desh” to “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,” Pandey’s creations went far beyond advertising — they became a part of India’s cultural identity.
His warm laughter, distinctive moustache, and ability to capture art in everyday life influenced aspiring copywriters and art directors.
Pandey was a mentor who captured regular nuances of life and portrayed them through ads. He captured the everyday life of ordinary Indians and presented it in his ad works through his extraordinary storytelling.
“I don’t write ads, I tell stories,” the advertising legend often said.