Mumbai, Oct 24 (NationPress) Renowned music maestro Shankar Mahadevan has voiced his disbelief and sorrow over the demise of advertising icon Piyush Pandey.

He fondly recalled him as a creative visionary and a cherished friend. In his heartfelt post, Mahadevan emphasized their significant collaborations and the profound influence Pandey had on the advertising realm. Shankar took to Instagram to share a touching photo of the late advertising stalwart, stating, “I am utterly devastated... He was undeniably a creative genius, a cherished friend, and a person brimming with humor and positivity! Our numerous collaborations were landmark achievements! I will deeply miss you, my friend... I simply cannot grasp this.”

Numerous celebrities have extended their condolences following the loss of advertising giant Piyush Pandey. Veteran actor Gajraj Rao paid his respects, referring to Piyush as the “Sam Manekshaw of Indian Advertising.”

Rao praised Pandey’s unparalleled comprehension of Indian culture, his adeptness at connecting with both emerging and established talents in the industry, and his irreplaceable creativity and courage.

The ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’ actor noted, “In my view, Piyush Pandey was the leader of the Indian advertising domain, who advocated for every creative endeavor with his pen. He overcame every hurdle with grace. His connection with Indian society was remarkable, particularly his deep understanding of Rural India, making him the advertising guru.”

Piyush Pandey, a recipient of the Padma Shri and a trailblazer in Indian advertising, passed away on October 24 at the age of 70. Agency Ogilvy announced that the legendary adman, who served as Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide, had been dealing with a serious infection that had recently deteriorated.

“To our entire Ogilvy family, it is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of our beloved Piyush Pandey. He succumbed peacefully this morning after a battle with an infection that took a dire turn. It’s hard to fathom how we will each cope with this tremendous loss,” the agency conveyed in a statement.