Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mourned the passing of Piyush Pandey, the celebrated advertising icon, recalling his immense contribution to the field of communication and creative storytelling.
The Prime Minister said he would always treasure his interactions with Pandey and extended condolences to his family and admirers.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “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
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from political leaders, industry stalwarts, and members of the creative fraternity.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed their condolences, describing Pandey’s demise as a profound loss to the creative world.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Shri Piyush Pandey.
A titan and legend of Indian advertising, he transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms, earthy humor, and genuine warmth into it.
Have had opportunities to interact with him on various occasions.
Heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/tytshG1aHK
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 24, 2025
Truly at a loss for words to express my sadness at the demise of Padma Shri Piyush Pandey.
A phenomenon in the world of advertising, his creative genius redefined storytelling, giving us unforgettable and timeless narratives.
To me, he was a friend whose brilliance shone… pic.twitter.com/t6ZDSViCrS
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 24, 2025
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called him a ‘doyen of Indian advertising’, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described Pandey as a ‘communication genius’ and a ‘truly inspiring personality’.
Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of doyen of Indian advertising and Padma Shri awardee #PiyushPandey. The creative colossus was a wonderful story teller who communicated through metaphors reflecting everyday life and relatable emotions. His passing away is an end…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 24, 2025
Saddened to read this. Piyush Pandey was a communication genius, someone I found truly inspiring. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/ioI2s5LLoS
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 24, 2025
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani also paid heartfelt tributes, remembering Pandey as a friend and a visionary who gave Indian advertising its distinct identity.
Piyush Pandey was far 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. And he was a very good friend! Like a master batsman, he played every stroke… pic.twitter.com/HhyaEBzZdL
— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 24, 2025
Devastated by the passing of my very dear friend Piyush Pandey, the creative genius who shaped Indian advertising into a global powerhouse. His ideas were the industry’s benchmarks and have inspired generations of storytellers. Will sorely miss his warmth and wit.
Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/SxPPUCuf95— Pranav Adani (@PranavAdani) October 24, 2025
A Padma Shri awardee, Pandey, passed away at the age of 70 after battling an infection.
As Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide at Ogilvy, Pandey consequently earned recognition as the pioneer of modern Indian advertising.
He, however, played a defining role in shaping India’s advertising landscape, famously crafting the political slogan ‘Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar’.
Among his most iconic works are:
- Cadbury Dairy Milk’s ‘Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein’ featuring the dancing girl,
- Asian Paints’ ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’, and
- Vodafone’s popular ZooZoo campaign
Beyond commercial campaigns, Pandey also led impactful social initiatives. One of his most notable efforts was the ‘Do Boond Zindagi Ke’ Polio Abhiyaan featuring Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign, however, became a milestone in public awareness advertising.
Pandey leaves behind his family, colleagues, and a legacy of creativity that continues to define the soul of Indian advertising.
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