Piyush Pandey passes away: The legendary adman was in John Abraham’s ‘Madras Café’

The legendary ad guru of India, Piyush Pandey, passed away on Friday at the age of 70 after “battling an infection that took a serious turn”. In his illustrious career of over four decades, apart from giving us memorable and iconic ads, the multi-talented and influential personality also ventured into acting as he appeared in the 2013 John Abraham starrer ‘Madras Cafe’.

About John Abraham starrer ‘Madras Cafe’

Piyush Pandey played the character of the Cabinet Secretary of India in the political action-thriller, which is set in the late 80s and early 90s, during the time of Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan civil war and the assassination of Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the movie also featured Nargis Fakhri, Raashii Khanna, Siddhartha Basu, Ajay Rathnam, Prakash Belawadi and Avijit Dutt among others in prominent roles.

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Piyush Pandey’s other projects and Mahesh Mathai’s Bhopal Express 

Pandey also featured in Magic Pencil Project Videos, which was a marketing campaign by ICICI Bank).

The iconic personality also penned the lyrics of ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,’ the Indian song that promoted national integration and unity in diversity

He also co-wrote the screenplay of Mahesh Mathai’s Bhopal Express along with his brother Prasoon Pandey. Featuring Kay Kay Menon, Naseeruddin Shah, Nethra Raghuraman, Zeenat Aman and Vijay Raaz in lead roles, the music of the film was given by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The film was set against the gas tragedy in Bhopal, India, in 1984.

Tributes pour in for Piyush Pandey

Saddened to hear of the passing of Shri Piyush Pandey.

A titan and legend of Indian advertising, he transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms, earthy humor, and genuine warmth into it.

Have had opportunities to interact with him on various occasions.

Heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/tytshG1aHK

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 24, 2025

Fevicol ka jod toot gaya. The ad world lost its glue today. Go well Piyush Pandey.

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 24, 2025

Apart from ad lovers, influential personalities like Nirmala Sitharaman and Hansal Mehta have have also paid tribute to the ad guru.