Industrialist Anand Mahindra recently shared a heartfelt message in memory of the late advertising legend Piyush Pandey, whose passing left the creative world mourning. On October 28, the Mahindra Group Chairman took to X to express his admiration and gratitude, describing Pandey not only as a gifted creative mind but also as someone whose work was deeply rooted in emotion and empathy. Mahindra highlighted that Pandey’s brilliance stemmed from his heart as much as his talent, which made his ideas truly unforgettable.
He fondly reminisced about Pandey’s collaboration with Mahindra on a touching advertisement that held great sentimental value for the company. The film, voiced by Pandey’s sister, renowned singer Ila Arun, was created almost free of cost because Pandey genuinely believed in the cause it represented. The message of the ad resonated deeply, capturing the essence of hope and determination against hardship.
The short film told the poignant story of a young girl named Lajjo from a struggling family. Her day began before dawn as she helped with household chores, yet her heart longed for something more—an education. The video portrayed her quietly peeking into a school classroom, watching other children study from the window, before her father’s call pulled her back to her daily duties. Through this simple yet powerful narrative, Pandey conveyed the aspirations of countless children whose dreams are constrained by circumstances.
Piyush Pandey’s legacy in Indian advertising stretched far beyond this campaign. Having joined Ogilvy India in 1982, he transformed the advertising landscape by infusing local flavor, humor, and emotional depth into brand storytelling. His iconic campaigns for companies like Asian Paints, Fevicol, Cadbury, and Hutch became cultural milestones, remembered not just as advertisements but as reflections of everyday Indian life.
Known for his mastery of Indian languages and his ability to connect with audiences through authenticity, Pandey set new creative benchmarks in the industry. His passing on October 23, 2025, at the age of 70, marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to live through the countless campaigns and stories he crafted with passion and heart.
He fondly reminisced about Pandey’s collaboration with Mahindra on a touching advertisement that held great sentimental value for the company. The film, voiced by Pandey’s sister, renowned singer Ila Arun, was created almost free of cost because Pandey genuinely believed in the cause it represented. The message of the ad resonated deeply, capturing the essence of hope and determination against hardship.
The short film told the poignant story of a young girl named Lajjo from a struggling family. Her day began before dawn as she helped with household chores, yet her heart longed for something more—an education. The video portrayed her quietly peeking into a school classroom, watching other children study from the window, before her father’s call pulled her back to her daily duties. Through this simple yet powerful narrative, Pandey conveyed the aspirations of countless children whose dreams are constrained by circumstances.
The late Piyush Pandey was a creative genius, of course…
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 28, 2025
But Piyush stood taller than others because his genius was fuelled by his heart.
At Mahindra, we will never forget him because of this ad he created for us and for getting his sister, Ila, to lend it her voice.
All at… pic.twitter.com/tM4oenstd6
Piyush Pandey’s legacy in Indian advertising stretched far beyond this campaign. Having joined Ogilvy India in 1982, he transformed the advertising landscape by infusing local flavor, humor, and emotional depth into brand storytelling. His iconic campaigns for companies like Asian Paints, Fevicol, Cadbury, and Hutch became cultural milestones, remembered not just as advertisements but as reflections of everyday Indian life.
Known for his mastery of Indian languages and his ability to connect with audiences through authenticity, Pandey set new creative benchmarks in the industry. His passing on October 23, 2025, at the age of 70, marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to live through the countless campaigns and stories he crafted with passion and heart.
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