Pritish Nandy, a multifaceted personality who left an indelible mark on Indian journalism, literature, and cinema, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at his Mumbai residence. He succumbed to cardiac arrest, with his final rites performed the same evening. He was 73 years old when he passed. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about the life and legacy of Pritish Nandy.
Journalist Filmmaker Pritish Nandy Passes At 73
@PritishNandy, poet, editor, film producer and more is no more.
He died today in Mumbai due to heart attack.
He was a game changer.
He injected tremendous energy into staid magazine journalism of early 80s. When he edited Illustrated Weekly of India we were awestruck.
Daring… pic.twitter.com/AgJsFgNuvz— Sheela Bhatt शीला भट्ट (@sheela2010) January 8, 2025
As a journalist, Nandy revolutionised magazine journalism in the 1980s during his tenure as editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India. His bold editorial choices, featuring daring subjects, striking typography, and prominent photography, transformed the publication and captured a new generation of readers.
According to an article that was recently published by NDTV, his creative pursuits extended far beyond journalism. Nandy authored approximately 40 books of poetry in English and demonstrated his linguistic versatility by translating works from Bengali, Urdu, and Punjabi.
Through his production company, Pritish Nandy Communications, he brought several memorable films to Indian cinema, including “Kaante,” “Jhankaar Beats,” “Chameli,” “Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi,” and “Pyaar Ke Side Effects.”
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Tributes Pour In From His Admirers And Well-Wishers
Deeply deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of one of my dearest and closest friends #PritishNandy! Amazing poet, writer, filmmaker and a brave and unique editor/journalist! He was my support system and a great source of strength in my initial days in Mumbai. We… pic.twitter.com/QYshTlFNd2
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) January 8, 2025
Veteran actor Anupam Kher, in an emotional tribute on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), remembered Nandy as not just a colleague but a crucial support system during his early days in Mumbai.
Kher praised Nandy’s fearlessness and larger-than-life personality, recalling significant gestures like featuring him on the cover of Filmfare magazine. Journalist Sheela Bhatt highlighted Nandy’s transformative impact on Indian journalism.
She mentioned his innovative approach that energised the industry. She also revealed that Nandy, true to his distinctive character, had provided specific instructions to his daughters before his passing.
Beyond his cultural contributions, Nandy served as a Rajya Sabha member representing the Shiv Sena and was a passionate advocate for animal rights. His legacy spans multiple domains, from literature and journalism to cinema and public service, marking him as one of India’s most versatile cultural figures.
Are you an admirer of Pritish Nandy? What are some of your favourite works by him? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons and @AnupamPKher/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: January 09, 2025 12:15 PM