Mumbai, Oct 24 – Piyush Pandey, a revered figure in the advertising industry known for his groundbreaking campaigns, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 70. His family confirmed that he died at 5:50 am at a private hospital in Mumbai, where he had been receiving treatment for respiratory complications.

Ila Arun, Pandey’s sister and an actress, shared insights about her brother, stating, “He was very fond of sports and used to describe our family as a team of 11, including nine siblings and our parents. Piyush was the naughtiest among all and the wittiest,” as reported by PTI.

Pandey was a former player for the Rajasthan cricket team in the Ranji Trophy and was instrumental in creating iconic advertising campaigns for major brands such as Cadbury, Asian Paints, and Fevicol. He played a significant role in shaping the communication strategies for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful 2014 election campaign.

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Pandey was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2016. Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on the microblogging platform X, stating, “He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications,” and added, “I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years.”

Tributes poured in from various sectors, highlighting Pandey’s impact on Indian advertising. Billionaire Gautam Adani remarked that Pandey was “the voice that made India believe in its own story,” emphasizing his role in instilling confidence in Indian advertising.

Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal also expressed their sorrow over Pandey’s passing. Sitharaman praised him as a “titan and legend” who transformed communication with his unique blend of everyday idioms and warmth. Goyal referred to Pandey as a phenomenon in advertising whose storytelling redefined the industry, noting their friendship and his authenticity.

Industrialist Anand Mahindra reflected on Pandey’s significant influence, stating that his “hearty laughs and irrepressible zest for life” would be remembered alongside the brands he created. Uday Kotak, a prominent banker, recalled that Kotak Mahindra Bank’s launch in 2003 featured a campaign developed by Pandey, who described banking as “common sense.” Kotak characterized Pandey as an “amazing out-of-the-box thinker and a humble person.”

Born in Jaipur, Pandey had been advising his agency Ogilvy in recent years after stepping back from an active role. He resided with his wife in the Shivaji Park neighborhood of central Mumbai. His last rites are scheduled to take place at the Shivaji Park crematorium at 10:30 am on Saturday, as confirmed by Ila Arun.