Industry leaders and politicians across the spectrum on Friday expressed grief over the passing of advertising legend and Padma Shri recipient Piyush Pandey, who died at the age of 70.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra paid his tributes, highlighting how Pandey always captivated him with his “hearty laugh” and “irrepressible zest for life.”
“Yes, he was a man who left gigantic footprints on the ad industry… But what I will remember most is not the campaigns he crafted or the brands he built, but his hearty laugh and his irrepressible zest for life. He reminded us that even in the serious business of persuasion, joy and humanity must never be forgotten,” he wrote.
“‘In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.’ — Camus. Piyush always carried that summer within him. Alvida, my friend. You made life richer for all of us. Om Shanti,” Mahindra added.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called Pandey “a phenomenon in the world of advertising.” “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,” Goyal wrote on X.
The minister added that Pandey was “a friend whose brilliance shone through his authenticity, warmth, and wit… who leaves behind a deep void that will be hard to fill.”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed sadness over Pandey’s death. Calling him “a titan and legend of Indian advertising,” Sitharaman said he “transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms, earthy humour, and genuine warmth into it. His legacy will continue to inspire generations.”
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called Pandey a “doyen of Indian advertising.” “The creative colossus was a wonderful storyteller who communicated through metaphors reflecting everyday life and relatable emotions. His passing away is the end of an era,” Patnaik wrote on X.
Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief, calling Pandey “a communication genius” and a “truly inspiring” person.
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani wrote on X, “Piyush Pandey wasn’t just an ad man — he was one of India’s finest storytellers. He taught us that emotion is the truest language of creativity. His words made brands human, and ideas immortal. Farewell to a legend who made us feel, think, and smile.”