Piyush Pandey, adman who helped craft BJP’s ‘Abki baar Modi sarkar’ campaign, dies at 70
He wrote the lyrics for the song ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’, a 1988 national integration campaign highlighting India’s diversity.
Advertising professional Piyush Pandey, credited for shaping the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 2014 election campaign with the slogan “Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar”, died on Friday. He was 70.
Pandey, who was the worldwide chief creative officer and executive chairman India of New York-based advertising company Ogilvy, was suffering from an infection, reported NDTV.
Along with notable advertisements for companies such as Asian Paints, Cadbury’s and Pidilite, Pandey also created prominent social advertising campaigns, including for polio eradication with actor Amitabh Bachchan.
He also wrote the lyrics for the song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”, a 1988 national integration campaign highlighting India’s diversity.
In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Pandey was involved in creating ads for the BJP. In addition to “Abki Baar Modi Sarkar”, Pandey also wrote the slogan “Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi”.
Pandey was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2016. This made him the first advertising professional to receive the award.
Before joining the advertisement industry in 1982, Pandey played the Ranji Trophy, a domestic first-class cricket championship, for Rajasthan and worked as a tea taster.
In 2004, he became the first Asian to serve as jury president at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
He and his brother Prasoon Pandey in 2018 became the first Asians to receive the Lion of St Mark at the festival, a lifetime achievement honour.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to Pandey’s family, saying that Pandey was admired for his creativity.
“He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications,” Modi wrote on social media. “I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years.”
Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications. I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2025
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed his condolences in a social media post.
Truly at a loss for words to express my sadness at the demise of Padma Shri Piyush Pandey.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 24, 2025
A phenomenon in the world of advertising, his creative genius redefined storytelling, giving us unforgettable and timeless narratives.
To me, he was a friend whose brilliance shone… pic.twitter.com/t6ZDSViCrS
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described Pandey as a “titan and legend of Indian advertising” and said that his “legacy will continue to inspire generations”.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Shri Piyush Pandey.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 24, 2025
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