India woke up today to the heartbreaking news of the passing of Piyush Pandey — the man whose words, wit, and warmth defined Indian advertising for over four decades. He was 70.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning, remembering Pandey for his unmatched creativity and deep impact on the world of communication. Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote: “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.”
Industrialist Gautam Adani too shared a heartfelt tribute, calling Pandey “far more than just an advertising legend.”
In his post, Adani said: “He was the voice that made India believe in its own story. He gave Indian advertising its self-confidence, its soul, its ‘swadeshi’ swagger. And he was a very good friend! Like a master batsman, he played every stroke with his heart. Today, India has lost a true son.”
According to family members, Pandey had been battling pneumonia for the past few weeks after returning from a trip. His health declined despite treatment, and he had reportedly been in a coma before his passing.
Pandey’s journey in advertising began in 1982, when he joined Ogilvy & Mather India (now Ogilvy India) as a trainee account executive. Before long, his sharp instincts and creative brilliance propelled him into the creative department — where he would go on to change the face of Indian advertising forever.
He was the mind behind some of the most iconic campaigns ever created in India: Fevicol’s “Egg” film, Cadbury Dairy Milk’s “Kuch Khaas Hai”, and Asian Paints’ “Har Khushi Mein Rang Laaye.” His work didn’t just sell products — it told stories that mirrored India’s humor, warmth, and heart.
In 2004, Pandey became the first Asian to serve as Jury President at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — a testament to how deeply his work resonated globally. Honors continued to follow: the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and later, the Padma Shri, marking him as the first Indian advertising professional to receive the national honor. Through his career, Piyush Pandey gave India more than memorable ads — he gave it a voice. A confident, authentic, and distinctly Indian voice that the world could recognize instantly.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, at 10 a.m. — where friends, colleagues, and admirers will gather to bid farewell to the man who taught an entire industry how to think local and dream global.
Even as the lights dim on one of India’s brightest creative minds, his legacy will endure — not just in the ads we remember, but in the way he made India see itself: colorful, clever, and full of heart.