A week after the passing of one of Indian advertising’s most beloved voices, Ogilvy India came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Piyush Pandey. It was an evening where nostalgia, laughter, and tears flowed in equal measure—where the agency’s past, present, and future stood side by side, united in their love for the man who defined their creative soul.
Among those who took the stage was Devika Bulchandani, COO of WPP (ex-Global CEO of Ogilvy), who spoke from the heart, paying a deeply personal and poignant tribute to her mentor and her guide.
"I thought for Piyush I was the most special person. He always referred to me as 'Humari Beti' (our daughter), and he had a father-like pride towards me. I found a deep sense of comfort and confidence just knowing Piyush was in my corner.
Every time I said goodbye to him because I lived in New York, he would always put his hand on my forehead and say, God bless. I would always look at him and say, 'I don’t need any God. I am Piyush-blessed.' I knew that if I had his blessings, I could take on anything.
But watching and reading all this outpouring of emotions over the last ten days, I have to say, I am a little upset. Because I realized that I am not the only one, that so many people—literally every single person Piyush ever met was special to him.
We all know that his work made him a legend. But what makes him immortal for so many of us was his ability to touch us so deeply and so personally, including all the consumers out there. With every word, every idea, every smile, every laugh, every gesture, Piyush immediately went past the superficial and pierced our souls in a way that no other person could ever do.
In India, he was often called the godfather of Indian advertising—a title that was cast upon him by the industry. But in true Piyush style, at Ogilvy, he wanted a different title. He was the Minister of Fun at Ogilvy. That was him. Brilliant, yes, but also playful, warm, full of joy. The image of him wiping away tears from his face and seconds later tilting his head back with that booming laugh is forever going to be etched in my mind.
I remember teasing him once when he was laughing, and ten seconds later he was crying and then he was laughing again. I said, how did you do that? And he looked at me and said, Devika, 'if we don’t cry and laugh, how will we live?' That was Piyush, poetry and a life lesson at the spur of the moment.
Piyush was a family man and cherished his wife, Nita, and his brother and sisters and nieces and nephews. He loved them more than anything. I cannot fathom what you all are feeling, given that we can barely hold it together, but please know that the entire Ogilvy family is with you today and will always be.
But Piyush was also an Ogilvy family man. The world of advertising lost a giant, India lost one of its greatest storytellers, but at Ogilvy we lost our heart. Piyush didn’t just work at Ogilvy. He was Ogilvy. For decades, he poured his heart and soul into Ogilvy India and Ogilvy globally, shaping the spirit, raising its creative bar and inspiring generations of talent.
Over the past few days and for many hours, we’re going to pay tribute to all the masterpieces he created. But Piyush did more than create advertising masterpieces. Piyush made people and he created future leaders. He nurtured them like a mother and protected them like a father, and I count myself one of those.
I want to pay tribute to the leaders he created at Ogilvy, and they’re all standing here—Hephzibah, Sukesh, Kainaz, Harshad, Prem and all the others who are in the audience and who lead Ogilvy today. You are Piyush’s real masterpieces. I know you’re going to carry the love and light of Piyush, his legacy and the hunger, heart and humility that Piyush balanced with such ease.
I know your hearts are broken right now, your Ogilvy family and all your Ogilvy clients are standing with you. Talking of clients, I know so many of you are here today and you’re not here as clients. You’re here because you loved Piyush, not simply respected the genius that he was.
Piyush had a rare gift. He understood people and made them feel seen. He spoke to them not simply through his powerful words but through heart and humanity. I will never forget how Piyush made me feel. I will never forget Piyush’s words. I will never forget Piyush.
And I took some creative license. 'Har Ghar Kehta Hai, Mere Dil Ki Har Dhadkan Kehti Hai, Piyush Sirf Mera Nahi, Sirf Tumhara Nahi, Piyush Hamara Hai, Piyush Khaas Tha, Piyush Hamesha Khaas Rahega, Piyush Hamesha Mera Rahega.'
