One afternoon, as he noticed me stay on TV, he simply referred to as me on the very cellphone that I used to be linked from! The interview went off air, I wasn't amused, and it is the one time in our 25-year-long partnership that Piyushbhai had event to be on the again foot—embarrassed, sheepish and apologetic!
Launched in November 2001, the Pulsar was Bajaj Auto's do-or-die wager to transition from being India's Hamara Bajaj scooter to The World's Favorite Indian motorbike. Given the enormity of the ask, we selected Ogilvy, particularly Piyushbhai, the Pitamah of Indian promoting, to inform our story. I do not forget that first assembly with him vividly—his regal stride into my workplace characterised by his trademark handlebar moustache, twinkling eyes, deep snort and dazzling mojaris!
As I briefed him on the product after which ventured to additionally share my very own thought for the communication, he listened to me patiently for lengthy after which stated, “Rajiv, when you find yourself subsequent in Mumbai, I'll present you the motorbike that I've designed for you!”
Message copied in ardour, possession, confidence.
I examined these values about 10 years later, calling him to precise my shocked disappointment upon reviewing the mediocre edit of a very important and costly movie. I instructed him that it appeared so hopeless to me that the prospect of a consequent two-month setback within the market had me virtually suffocating with nervousness.There was no defence, no denial, no dialogue. He merely stated, “Simply breathe, go residence and calm down, accomplice.” He then sat, I am instructed, within the studio round the clock for 48 hours to ship a spectacular redone avatar on day 4. Once I expressed my delight, Piyushbhai stated to me, “The shopper all the time will get the promoting that he deserves.”Lesson learnt in humility, listening, empathy.
In November 2021, Piyushbhai referred to as to request me to write down the foreword for his guide, Open Home. It was as daunting a prospect because it was an unbelievable honour. As I sought to wriggle out, photographs of Piyushbhai flashed by way of my thoughts—bowing to my father, hugging my spouse, counselling my son, enjoying with my canines, interning my cousins, even neatly saluting my home assist as solely he ever did. So, I wrote, and once I despatched it to him, he stated he would name when the tears stopped rolling.
In Could 2022, we had been collectively in dialog on the rapturous launch of Open Home in Mumbai. Shortly thereafter, he got here to Pune and stayed with me, providing thereby the valuable privilege of partaking in his sacred morning chai ritual. Sitting poolside by the backyard, we spoke about life, household and mates. He was besotted together with his sisters and the canines that had been his spouse Nita's calling. Throughout Covid, we had each invested in houses in Goa. He promised me many entertaining evenings there, of outrageous tales from experiences the world over. It's now the one phrase that Piyushbhai will not preserve.
As I search to comply with within the monumental footprints that he leaves behind, I mirror upon a gem that he shared with somebody that we each love dearly — “I simply wish to be a doorman who opens the door that results in inventive paths for youthful folks to make the world a gorgeous place.”
How can anybody so gifted, so exemplary, so achieved be so easy, so giving, so loving? They are saying that when love and ability mix, count on a masterpiece. Piyushbhai did not simply create many a masterpiece. He was his personal masterpiece.
