The world of advertising is mourning the loss of its visionary leader, Piyush Pandey, who passed away at the age of 70 following a battle with pneumonia. The Padma Shri recipient and former Cannes Lions jury president was honored at his funeral held at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai. Leading the tributes was megastar Amitabh Bachchan, accompanied by his son Abhishek Bachchan. They offered solace to the bereaved family, marking a somber occasion for the industry. Amitabh Bachchan shared his profound sorrow on his personal blog, eulogizing Piyush Pandey as an unparalleled ‘creative genius’ and a ‘great friend and mentor.’ He expressed that Pandey’s artistic creations would serve as a lasting testament to his extraordinary talent. Piyush Pandey’s sister, the esteemed Ila Arun, conveyed the deep sorrow felt by the family. She expressed gratitude to the entire advertising fraternity, which she described as Pandey’s ‘big family,’ and to the countless people who admired his work. Ila Arun also highlighted her brother’s deep affection for India. The funeral ceremony was attended by numerous well-wishers, including Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, who paid their final respects to the ad icon. Pandey’s niece, Ishitta Arun, shared a heartfelt memory, referring to him as her ‘first roommate, first critic, and forever favourite human.’
