A wave of sadness has swept through the creative industry with the news of Piyush Pandey’s death. The celebrated advertising titan, aged 70, succumbed to pneumonia. His funeral took place at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park Crematorium, where many prominent figures gathered to pay their respects. Among them were Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, who offered comfort to the grieving family. Amitabh Bachchan, in a touching tribute on his blog, described Piyush Pandey as a ‘creative genius’ and a ‘dear friend and guide,’ emphasizing that his legacy would endure through his remarkable work. Piyush Pandey’s sister, Ila Arun, shared her immeasurable pain, thanking the vast advertising world and the general public for their immense love and appreciation for her brother’s work. She also mentioned his affinity for engaging with the media and his patriotic spirit. The funeral proceedings on Saturday saw Bachchan and his son offering final respects to the advertising maestro. Ishitta Arun, Pandey’s niece, also shared a touching personal tribute, calling him her ‘first roommate, first critic, and forever favourite human.’ Pandey’s contributions to advertising were widely recognized, including his role as a Cannes Lions jury president and receiving the Padma Shri award.
