Ad industry luminary Piyush Pandey has passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of iconic advertising campaigns. The cause of death was reported as pneumonia. His final rites were performed at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai, drawing a significant presence from the entertainment world. Amitabh Bachchan, a close associate, was present with his son Abhishek Bachchan to offer their sympathies to the family. Big B shared his grief on his blog, remembering Pandey as a ‘creative genius’ and a ‘warm friend and guide.’ He emphasized the enduring nature of Pandey’s creative contributions. Piyush Pandey’s sister, Ila Arun, expressed her profound sadness and thanked the advertising community for their unwavering support and the public for their love of her brother’s work. She spoke about his deep patriotism and his enjoyment of interacting with the media. The funeral proceedings saw Bachchan and his son among those paying their last respects to the advertising legend. Ila’s daughter, Ishitta Arun, also took to social media to honor her uncle, affectionately calling him her ‘first roommate, first critic, and forever favourite human.’ Pandey, a Padma Shri awardee, had also served as a jury president at the prestigious Cannes Lions festival.
