Pandeymonium: Piyush Pandey on Advertising (Book Review: 3.5*/5) !!!

 

12th Book of 2025

 

We lost one of the most popular faces of India, Mr. Piyush Pandey, last week. I had always known him as an advertising guru, often coming across his newspaper articles where he would explain how he conceptualized a recent viral advertisement. Reading multiple testimonials about him last week made me curious to learn more, which led me to pick up his autobiography titled Pandeymonium, released back in 2016. I regretted not reading it then, as it was the start of my own career — a time when I could have applied many of the principles Piyush discusses in this book.

 

This 264-page autobiography is written with complete honesty, where you can feel that whatever Piyush shares about himself is transparent and real. He doesn’t try to pretend or hide the behind-the-scenes moments that went into creating some of his most loved advertisements. Thankfully, most of the famous ads from my childhood — such as Fevicol, Asian Paints, Vodafone, Ponds, Center Shock, Close-Up, Cadbury, etc. — were released by the agency Ogilvy, of which Piyush was a part. Hence, reading about their ideation, execution, release, and success stories is both entertaining and nostalgic.

 

The author begins the book by briefing us about his family, going into detail and helping us get acquainted with each of his family members — parents and siblings. He had a large family, and he explains how their respective professions, ideologies, and interactions served as no less than Google for him. Similarly, he shares how his train journeys and cricket-viewing experiences taught him the nuances of human behavior, which later helped him immensely in drawing inspiration from real life and converting those moments into reels.

 

In the corporate world, people often talk about the varied experiences of working in a corporate setup versus a family-based organization. Many see family businesses as undesirable workplaces. Piyush busts this myth by narrating an experience where a puja was organized for an employee leaving for better opportunities elsewhere. He also references Nita Ambani’s working style, mentioning how she ensures everyone’s comfort and participation before proceeding with serious discussions during meetings.

 

Along similar lines, he explains how tough it is to work with Bollywood actors, as most of them don’t arrive on time and show little interest in understanding the organization or its vision through the advertisement. He cites the examples of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, who are extremely professional and ensure they fully understand the product’s background and the intent of the advertisement before beginning the shoot.

 

The author shares several professional and corporate insights that I truly enjoyed reading and highlighting. He defines what a liberal manager truly is and how such leaders can achieve targets without being assertive or aggressive. His take on various aspects such as MNC culture, the awards and rewards system, milestones, and organizational hierarchies is enlightening and provides valuable insights that can be implemented in one’s own work life.

 

Talking about the drawbacks — I must say that the first half of the book is very personal, where we get to know Piyush, the human being. However, the second half loses that essence and begins to feel more like a promotion of his organization rather than his personal story. It becomes slightly monotonous after that. The last 25–30% of the book may not appeal to a general reader, as he briefly discusses his colleagues, many of whom are not known to the public.

 

Similarly, I was expecting him to discuss advertising as an expert, but his bias toward content generated by Ogilvy is evident, as he doesn’t cover or mention advertisements created by other agencies. There is also no mention of his personal life, family members, or friends in the second half of the book, which leaves you feeling deprived of knowing more about the man behind the professional persona.

 

Overall, this is a fine book — one you’ll enjoy reading, though it leaves you wanting more and never quite provides a fully satisfying experience. I would rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Lead Smart in the AI Era by Amit Kumar Jain/Surbhi Jain (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

 11th Book of 2025

Whenever I consider reading a non-fiction book, it generally falls into typical sections such as autobiography/biography, self-help, or spiritual books. Very rarely does an author attempt to write on a niche topic that draws from vast experience and extensive research. It becomes even more valuable when the topic relates to your own profession or area of interest. I recently got my hands on Amit Kumar Jain and Surbhi Jain’s new book titled Lead Smart in the AI Era, published by Rupa Publications, spanning around 244 pages.

 

Artificial Intelligence has been the hottest topic for the last two years, involving everyone in one way or another—directly or indirectly. Everyone wishes to learn about it. But rather than diving into its technical terms and jargon, one needs to understand how technology and innovation have evolved over the years and become a part of our lives. This makes it easier for us to decipher how to adopt AI without being intimidated by it. The author duo guides us through this, chapter by chapter, explaining numerous concepts and the evolution of technologies, making this book a perfect page-turner. I had never imagined that this book would turn out to be so engaging that I would end up reading it as swiftly as a fiction novel.

 

The authors emphasize that in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world — one that’s further transformed by artificial intelligence — business leaders must leverage digitalization to its fullest potential while remaining vigilant against growing risks such as fake data, cyberattacks, and fraud. They underline that in this new era, data and AI have become the defining factors of success. However, truly mastering them goes beyond merely collecting and analysing information; it also requires the wisdom to recognize and address the biases hidden within.

 

After every chapter, the authors provide context on how VUCA leaders need to act upon respective areas of technological advancement to reach a stage where they can adopt AI seamlessly. Following the discovery of electricity, the authors take us back in time to show how it inspired multiple innovations — proving that humanity always explores more solutions after one major breakthrough.

 

The case studies of Kodak and Blockbuster — and how they lost their edge by failing to adapt to emerging technologies — are presented in a way that feels fresh and engaging. Even though these stories are well known, the authors’ narration makes them feel as though you’re encountering them for the first time.

 

The section on the AI vs EI (Artificial Intelligence vs Emotional Intelligence) debate is particularly thought-provoking. The authors highlight how no algorithm or robot can truly replicate human emotions, biases, or the ability to make value-based decisions.

 

The comparison between the delayed identification of the cholera epidemic in the past and the real-time tracking of a modern-day pandemic using AI-driven tools is both powerful and eye-opening. The authors also delve into the concept of Responsible AI, referencing definitions provided by leading AI bodies and outlining practical steps organizations can take to ensure ethical and accountable use of artificial intelligence.

 

Towards the end of the book, the authors discuss various kinds of risks that may arise as leaders embark on digital transformation journeys, along with strategies to tackle them effectively. This book is one of the most practical and insightful reads I have come across recently. It should be read by all industry leaders and corporate professionals, as it provides a valuable perspective on how to grow one’s career in the age of AI. The steps to incorporate in different scenarios become much clearer while reading the book.

 

The first few pages might feel slightly dense, but the language soon becomes friendlier. The authors ensure that their writing remains simple and accessible, making the reading experience smooth and enjoyable. They help readers develop a mindset of agility, adaptability, innovation, and data-driven thinking — qualities essential to staying ahead in the corporate race of the 21st century.

 

Overall, I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Answers to the Biggest Questions About Sanatan by Amishi Seth (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

  

10th Book of 2025!

 

The reading list of any year feels incomplete if it doesn’t include enough books on religion or spirituality. There was a time when grandmothers would narrate religious and mythological tales to their grandchildren. These days, however, we hardly get time to sit with our elders due to study or work pressure. Hence, the only way left to connect with our culture and roots is by reading such books ourselves whenever we get the chance. This very quest makes me pick up religious and mythological books regularly. This time, I chose a very aesthetic book with a beautiful cover titled “Answers to the Biggest Questions About Sanatan.”

 

The book is written by Amishi Seth and published by Rupa Publications, spanning around 325 pages. Amishi seems to understand that most people aren’t looking for something deeply philosophical but rather wish to learn the basics of Sanatan Dharma. Accordingly, she has structured the book around questions that many of us have — even after reading or watching Ramayan and Mahabharat. The book is divided into three main sections:

1. From the Epics and the Purans

Here, she covers topics whose answers can be found in these ancient texts. It includes queries related to Ramayan, Mahabharat, and other Hindu deities described in the Purans.

2. From Sanatan Dharma

This section is particularly engaging, as it explores questions we rarely encounter while reading epics or puranic stories. The author clarifies many intriguing aspects — such as the reason behind multiple Gods and Goddesses, the meaning of Shivling, why certain Hindu deities have animal faces, the significance of fasting, the concept of afterlife, and much more.

3. Basics

In around 15 pages, the author answers some fundamental questions such as the meaning of the word AUM, the daily duties of a Sanatani, the three paths for self-realization, and the concept of the four Yugas.

 

The book concludes with a glossary and references section, which helps readers understand the meanings of several difficult Hindi and Sanskrit terms used throughout. One of the most fascinating chapters is where the author discusses Sanatan’s connection with modern science, and it also happens to be the longest one in the book. It seems this very concept might have inspired the book’s creation.

 

Amishi highlights references from various shastras that mention modern scientific concepts long before they were formally discovered — something truly insightful. For instance, the Chhandas Shastra discusses literary rhythm, the Garbha Upanishad explains foetal development, the Vaisheshika Darshan explores atomic structure, Ayurveda delves into medicine and life sciences, Dhanur Veda talks about the science of warfare, and Vaimanika Shastra touches upon aeronautics.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book for its simplicity and sincerity of intent. You can feel the author’s genuine devotion and curiosity in the way she presents each answer and story. This is one of the best books for anyone wanting to understand the essence of Sanatan Dharma, even if they are not avid or regular readers.

 

Talking about the drawbacks — a few explanations lack proper references to the original scriptures, which makes them somewhat debatable. Some interpretations seem to reflect the author’s personal beliefs due to the absence of cited sources. A few chapters also feel quite brief and could have delved deeper into their subjects. I believe the author could have researched certain topics further to make the book feel more authoritative, almost like a religious text in itself.

 

Overall, I would rate this book 4.25 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA